Equipment to Support Transgenic and Stem Cell Gene Transfer in Mice

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The use of transgenic mice has been instrumental in the characterization and understanding of the genetic basis of mammalian development and physiology. The genetics group at Yale University in particular has utilized transgenic mice to study the evolution of the HOX genes that are essential for normal development, the role of the transcription factor AP-2 in vertebrate morphogenesis, and the role of T-cells in immune system function and development, among other projects. This proposal requests funds to augment the transgenic mouse facility at Yale University. The facility presently has one old transgene injection set-up and one modern set-up for blastocyst injection of stem cells. The transgene apparatus is now 20 years old and despite mechanical wear and tear is used at capacity. This project proposes to add a new transgene injection station, to repair and upgrade the existing apparatus, and to add ancillary equipment that will generally support the overall program in transgene research and education. As transgene techniques continue to expand, the facility comes under even greater use by the faculty and students at Yale. The sheer volume of experimental studies necessitates the acquisition of new instrumentation. New instruments will enhance the efficiency of both research and teaching activities. Additional equipment will also make possible the development of new techniques such as the controlled expression of transgenes, fluorigenic reporter constructs, and the modification of endogenous genes by "knock-in" procedures. The requested equipment will be accessible to a broad spectrum of investigators and students both within and outside of Yale University. Access if facilitated by housing the equipment in an Animal Research Facility managed by a consortium of faculty investigators rather than within a single investigator's group. The facility is self- contained and integrates both animal care and housing and transgene laboratory space.