Services

The Genetic Engineering and Model Validation department is in charge of the generation of customized and ready-to-use genetically modified mouse.

Since its creation in 2002, more than 1300 mouse models were done for our customers: academic labs, European Union or big pharmaceutical groups.

We offer quality custom generation of a wide range of mouse models developed by microinjection of Sv129/Pas or C57BL/6N ES cells into blastocysts or by DNA pronuclear injection. 

We also focus our efforts on reducing the timelines by developing new techniques and standardizing our process. CRISPR-Cas9 is a rapid and cost effective technology to generate mouse and rat mutant models. Now we can offer the generation of knock-out models though direct injection into fertilized mouse oocytes of CRISPR sgRNA and Cas9 mRNA. This approach allows to obtain models in shorter timelines and with reduced costs compared to gene targeting by homologous recombination in ES cells. Finally, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing opens a new area in rat genetics, and we are now able to provide researchers with rat models.To secure your project, we provide quality control procedures and develop a quality management system / assurance.

Each model can be validated at the DNA (ddPCR, Southern Blot), RNA (Northern Blot) or protein level (Immunohistochemistry, Western Blot) by our genotyping and gene expression services

Available models

• Constitutive Knock-Out (KO)
• Conditional Knock-Out (cKO)
• "Tissue-specific" Knock-Out
• Knock-Out/Knock-In (KO/KI)
• Constitutive Knock-In (KI)
• Point mutation (PM)
• Humanization
• Targeted Transgenesis
• Chromosome engineering
• Pronuclear injection
• CRISPR-Cas9

For any request, please contact us

Customized genotyping services

We offer customized genotyping services for any mutation including knock-out, knock-in, transgenic or any other genetically modified rodent model. It is particularly useful during model creation for more in depth validation of a mutant model (QC of the mouse and rat lines). Many controls are necessary to validate complex alleles (e.g. after Flp or Cre recombination) or multiple regions of a locus.

Our service cover any genotyping step:

• Assay design and validation for new strategies or optimization of pre-existing strategies
• Genomic DNA extraction: different sample types can be processed, including: tails biopsies, ear tags, embryonic yolk sac and even non-invasive biopsies (hair, feces, buccal swab…)
• Samples treatments with one out of 6 methods available in routine (Universal or specific PCR and/or qPCR reactions, Target gene sequencing, Quantification with droplet digital PCR reactions… )
• Delivery of interpreted genotyping results (not only raw data).
• Delivery detailed genotyping protocol to all our users on request.

Genotypic services' flyer (228.4 KB)

For genotyping request, please contact us

Package

The development of a genetically modified mouse line by homologous recombination includes:

• The design of a strategy for the modification of the targeted gene
• The construction of the target vector
• The electroporation in 129 S2/SvPas ES or in C57BL/6N cells
• The screening of up to a maximum of 700 ES colonies and the confirmation of ES positive clones if needed
• The development of chimeric mice
• The establishment of the genetically modified mouse line by breeding with the chimeric mice (Germ Line Transmission (GLT) of the mutation)
• The in vivo excision of the selection marker by breeding
• The delivery of at least 2 heterozygous mice for the requested type of mutation (cKO, KI, ...)
• The delivery of a technical report that detailed the main results obtained in each step and includes a genotyping protocol
• On request: validation of the functionality of the genetic modifications introduced in vivo

The development of a transgenic mouse by micro-injection of a DNA construction into the pronucleus of fertilized eggs (PNI transgenesis) includes:

• The design of a strategy of the vector development for the transgenic mouse model
• The construction of the target vector
• The micro-injection of the vector into a maximum of 300 C57BL/6N mice eggs (other backgrounds on request)
• The genotyping of the founders and their delivery
• On request: generation of G1 animals and qRT-PCR evaluation of expression of each line

These services are 100% customized: each step can be performed or not in our institute.

For any project request, please contact us

Charles River and PHENOMIN ICS Cooperation

PHENOMIN-ICS has joined forces with Charles River, a leading scientific CRO, to deliver a complete solution for mouse and rat model creation. Our combined in vitro and in vivo expertise provides an optimum environment for creating, characterising, preserving and distributing your genetically engineered knock-out, knock-in and transgenic rodent models.

Webinar Series 2019-2020: CRISPR/Cas9, Cre-lox in rodents

CRISPR-Cas9 is a rapid and cost effective technology to generate mouse and rat mutant models, however, its impact on the genome still requires careful consideration. For further insight we are pleased to present the following Charles River-hosted webinars presented by PHENOMIN-ICS:

• CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing: Model Creation, Gene Therapy, and Beyond
• Modelling Human Disease in Rodents with CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing
• The Cre-Toolbox: Revealing Gene Functions with Cre-lox Recombination
• CRISPR/Cas9 in Rodents Animals: The good, The bad and the ugly

Webinar Series 2020-2021: mouse study reproducibility

For more information, and to watch the webinar replays on demand, please visit the Charles River Website.