This Core consists of 4 facilities: Transgenic, Gene Targeting and Knockout, Xenograft, and Carcinogenesis. Transgenic and Gene Targeting facilities are essential genetic tools for studying mammalian gene functions in vivo, by testing the over-expression and loss-of-function mutations in animal development and in tumor susceptibility, respectively. In addition, Transgenic technology can be used in generating tissue-specific expression vehicles that can be utilized in creating conditional knockouts, either by Cre recombinase or by siRNA expression. Xenograft of human cancer cells or tissues into immune deficient mice is an indispensable step in correlating in vitro cell biology studies of cancer biology with tumorigenicity in vivo. The tumor grown in mice can also serve as a realistic test model for new therapeutics. For studying specific cancer types, the Carcinogenesis facility is able to generate several organ-specific cancers in rodents; they are invaluable tools for testing the function and therapeutic values of specific genes and therapies. The Cancer Animal Model Core combines the existing expertise of these four facilities to form a comprehensive service to assist cancer researchers at HCC.

The Transgenic Mouse Core Facility at MUSC uses the pronuclear microinjection technique for production of transgenic animals. Linearized ultra pure DNA is introduced into the pronucleus of a fertilized FVB mouse oocyte. Surviving oocytes are transferred to pseudopregnant females for gestation. Since 2001, the Facility has produced over 450 transgenic mice for investigators at MUSC.

In addition, we can offer pronuclear injection in the C57BL/6 strain and transient expression work. Both services require an additional fee. An investigator wishing to order these services should contact us before making such a request.