Embryonic Stem (ES) cells allow the investigator to suppress or introduce a gene by homologous recombination. Microinjection of ES cells into the blastocoel cavity allows these cells to become integrated in the Inner Cell Mass (ICM) with the potential to contribute to germ-line transmission.

ES cells derived from a mouse with black coat colour (C57) injected into a donor embryo with albino coat colour (Balb/c) gives a phenotypic indication of chimerism. The resulting mice being "mixed" black and white.

TASQ has both 129 derived ES-cells and C57Bl6 derived ES-cells.

Prices

• $AU 1000 / session (internal)
• $AU 1350 / session (external)

These prices cover:

• Superovulated and mated C57bl6 or Balb/c donor females
• Embryo collection
• ES cell injection into blastocysts
• Pseudopregnant mothers and embryo transfer
• Animal agistment charges for pseudopregnant mothers and pups until weaning
• Animal agistment charges for pseudopregnant mothers and pups untill weaning

Additional Notes and Recommendations

• TASQ recommends 2 initial sessions for each clone.
• TASQ will ask investigators to provide 2 frozen vials of clones for injection. These clones should have had a chromosome count and only those proven with a 80% of a 40 count will be accepted. TASQ will prepare cells for injection.
• A TASQ application form for Blastocyst Injection must be completed prior to the commencement of service.
• Additional agistment costs apply once pups are weaned and for the transport of mice if applicable.
• AEC and GTR numbers must be supplied prior to commencement of service.
• TASQ will test chimaera for germline transmission at an additional cost to client.
• Penalty fees apply to late cancellations of Aggregation sessions.
• The service being provided is undertaken with no guarantee of the genetically manipulated mouse strain.

Blastocyst Injection and ES Cell Technology References

Capecchi, M.R. (1994) Targeted Gene Relacement. Scientific American. March, 52-59.

Galli Talidoros, L.A., Sedgwick, J.D., Wood, S.A. and Korner, H. (1995) Gene knock-out technology: a methodoligical overview for the interested novice. Journal of Immunological Methods. 181, 1.

Hogan, B., Beddington, R., Costantini, F. and Lacy, E. (1994) Isolation, culture and minipulation of embryolic stem cells. Manipulating the Mouse Embryo, 2nd Ed. Cold Spring harbor Laboratory Press, New York, pp 253.

Plaggs, A., Kelsey, G. and Allen, N.D. (2000) Directed mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells. In: Jackson, I.J. and Abbott C.M. (Eds.) Mouse Genetics and Transgenics: A Practical Approach. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 247.

Wassarman, P.M. and De Pamphilis M.L. (Eds.) (1993) Guide to Techniques in Mouse Development. Methods in Enzymology, Academic Press, New York, pp 803.