The primary objective of this Core is to provide the physical and intellectual resources for generating genetically engineered mice and rats. In addition to making conventional transgenic mice and rats by pronuclear injection of transgene constructs into single-cell embryos, this core employs cutting edge CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing technology for targeted mutations of different kinds directly in zygotes (standard knock-outs, knock-ins, single nucleotide exchanges, generation of LoxP-flanked conditional mutant alleles, large-scale deletions, etc.).
To utilize existing mouse mutants available at centralized repositories such as the Knockout Mouse Project (KOMP), the Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center (MMRRC) at The Jackson Laboratory, and the European Mouse Mutant Cell Repository (EuMMCR), the Core offers in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer services for establishing mutant mouse colonies locally.
Finally, the Core offers assisted reproductive technology services (ARTS) to preserve and rescue mutant mouse strains. The service portfolio includes embryo and sperm cryopreservation and storage in liquid nitrogen tanks, as well as embryo and sperm resuscitation.
Transgenic & Genome Editing Core Administration
Administrative Oversight
Administrative oversight is provided through the MUSC Division of Lab Animal Resources (DLAR).
Scientific Oversight
Fu-Lei Tang, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Tang acts as the Core's Director providing scientific oversight and overseeing the planning and implementation of genome editing and transgenic projects in mice and rats. He is available for consultation prior to each project and responsible for the design, procurement, and in vitro validation of CRISPR reagents, as well as PCR-based genotyping of genetically engineered mice
Generation of Genetically Engineered Mice and Rats – Experimental Work: Genetic engineering in mice and rats involving pronuclear injection and electroporation of single-cell mouse and rat embryos is being performed by Jan Guz.
Assisted Reproductive Technology Services (ARTS): This includes cryo-preservation of mouse sperm and embryos, sperm and embryo resuscitation including in vitro fertilization (IVF), as well as archiving of cryopreserved sperm and embryos. These services are being performed by Jan Guz.
Rodent Genetic Database
The MUSC Rodent Genetic Database is a user-populated online database of research rodent model strains used by MUSC investigators. This tool allows MUSC Researchers to share information about the rodent resources already present on campus to support new experimental approaches or facilitate collaborations that might otherwise not occur. The database is currently in a PDF format and is only accessible via MUSC NetID. To request a web accessible version of the database, please contact Allison Olawsky at lincolna@musc.edu.
