[21] Transgenic Mice Flashcards
- What does the term “transgenic” mean?
Referring to an organism that contains genes from another organism.
- Define “Transgenic Mice”
Mice that have had foreign genes deliberately inserted into their genome.
- Why are transgenic mice used in research?
- To study human diseases
- To understand gene functions
- To develop new drugs and treatments
- How are transgenic mice created?
By introducing foreign DNA into a mouse embryo, then implanting it into a pseudo-pregnant female mouse.
- What are the two main methods to produce transgenic mice?
- Microinjection
- Embryonic stem cell-mediated gene transfer
- What is the role of promoters in the creation of transgenic mice?
They control where and when the inserted gene will be active.
- How can transgenic mice be identified?
By using molecular techniques like PCR or Southern blotting to detect the presence of the inserted gene.
- What are knockout mice?
A type of transgenic mice where one or more genes have been deactivated.
- How do conditional knockout mice differ from regular knockout mice?
In conditional knockouts, gene inactivation can be controlled in terms of timing and tissue specificity.
- What is the purpose of creating transgenic mice with humanized genes?
To create better models for studying human diseases.
- What are some ethical considerations in the use of transgenic mice?
- Animal welfare
- Informed consent for use of human genes
- Potential impacts on the environment
- Define “Knockout” in the context of transgenic mice
The process of inactivating or “knocking out” a specific gene.
- What is the purpose of creating knockout mice?
To study the function of the gene that has been removed.
- Initials - PCR
Polymerase Chain Reaction
- What is the role of PCR in the creation and identification of transgenic mice?
It’s used to amplify DNA segments for insertion into the mouse genome and to identify mice that carry the transgene.
- Initials - DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
- What is the role of DNA in the context of transgenic mice?
DNA carrying the gene of interest is introduced into the mouse genome to create transgenic mice.
- What are the limitations of transgenic mice as models for human diseases?
Differences between mouse and human biology may limit the relevance of findings.
- Why are embryonic stem cells often used in the creation of transgenic mice?
They can be genetically modified in vitro before being inserted into a blastocyst, from which they can develop into any cell type.
- What is the Cre-loxP system in the context of transgenic mice?
A technique used to create conditional knockout mice, where a certain gene can be inactivated at a specific time or in a specific tissue.
