Transgenic Mice as Models of Disease

Abstract

Efforts to manipulate the genome have been the constant pursuit of geneticists since the end of the 19th century. Methods to improve the quality of the species have been practiced and perfected by plant breeders. Induction of random mutations by UV-radiation and consequent screening for interesting phenotypes in bacteriophage or fruit flies have set forth a trend to identify the genetic basis of structural and functional malformations in these organisms. The advent of chromosomal mapping and gene cloning techniques and the availability of breeding data in many animal species have made it possible to selectively manipulate the genomes of species such as mice, rats, pigs, and cattle. This technology, called “transgenic animal” technology, has already revolutionized our current understanding of how organisms develop and how several physiological processes are regulated. In addition, transgenic models have increased our understanding of the genetic basis for many human diseases, including cancer. Although gene manipulation is theoretically possible in many species, the mouse has become the obvious choice for several reasons. Mice are relatively inexpensive to maintain and easy to breed, and an exhaustive store of information is already available on chromosomal mapping and linkage analysis of many genes in the mouse. In addition, micromanipulation of mouse embryos is technically easier and more feasible compared to that of other species.