UCLA/JCCC ES Cells & Trangenic Mice Shared Resource
Animal
Location:	Please Contact
Emails:	hwu@mednet.ucla.edu jm@ucla.edu
Phone Numbers:	310-794-7802 310-825-5082 310-794-7380
Web Address:	TMC Homepage
Description:	Related Resources & Cores: ES Cell Core                   Behavioral Testing Core        DLAM Mouse Pathology Core     Mouse Physiology Core          UCLA Vector Core Description: The UCLA transgenic facility provides UCLA School of Medicine research investigators with services to generate transgenic mice and gene targeted mice at a reasonable cost. The facility also offers related services such as embryo collection, cryopreservation, strain rederivation and in vitro fertilization. The facility is currently investigating the practical applications of lentivirus constructs to generate transgenic animals. Facility staff provides expertise and consultation on mouse genetics, gene targeting and transgenic constructing. The facility is supported by the David Geffen School of Medicine Dean's office, UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology. All animals are housed in a state-of-the-art, pathogen-free facility at Gonda vivarium. Services offered: Transgenic mouse production Transgenic mice are produced by microinjection of DNA directly into one of the pronuclei of mouse-fertilized zygotes. The UCLA transgenic facility provides the service for generating transgenic mice for investigators. We commonly use F2 of C57BL/6 x DBA/2 and FVB/N as the donor embryos. Other genetic background strains can also be used and injected. Typically, 150~200 embryos will be injected and implanted, which represents two days' work. Surviving pups will be screened by investigators for the presence of the transgene by PCR or Southern blot genotyping assays. A minimum of two transgenic founders is guaranteed, or up to a maximum of 200 embryos injected. The purity of the DNA to be injected is one of the most critical factors affecting the successful outcome of pronuclear microinjections. We strongly suggest investigators provide us with high purity DNA for injection. Recommended protocols are available for DNA preparation and purification. Production of Gene Targeting Animal Chimeric mice are produced by injecting embryonic stem cells into the cavity of a mouse blastocyst. The most commonly used embryonic stem cells are derived from agouti 129/SV mice and host blastocysts are harvested from black C57Bl/6 mice. The resulting chimeric mice will be composed of tissue derived from the inner cell mass of the host blastocyst as well as the injected embryonic stem cells. Services are also made available to external (i.e. non-UCLA affiliated) investigators, as well. Basic service: Produce 3 or more chimeric mouse or implant 150 injected blastocysts, representing three days' work. Premium service: Generate germline transmission line. The investigator must provide embryonic stem cells proven to be pathogen free. If ES cells are in the ES cell facility, staff at the ES facility will prepare your cells for injection. Or if investigators prepare cells by themselves, we recommend contacting us first for additional information. Additional Services: We also offer embryo collection, cryopreservation, strain rederivation, and in vitro fertilization.