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Our goal is to assist your research needs by providing the production of transgenic mice and rats using DNA microinjection and lentiviral transduction. Additional services include embryo cryopreservation, rederivation of mice from frozen embryos and consultation on relevant matters (e.g. construct design, establishing lines from founder animals). For questions or pricing information please contact us.

The Transgenic Services Core is supported by the
Nathan Shock Center for Excellence in Basic Biology of Aging and UTHSCSA.

The Department of Cellular & Structural Biology's Transgenic Services Core has been in operation at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio since 1986. This facility which is also supported by the Nathan Shock Center on Aging, produces transgenic rodents (mice & rats) for investigators at the Health Science Center and is supported on a partial cost-recovery basis, extramural funding and institutional support.

The facility for microinjection of one-cell mouse and rat embryos is housed in the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources, which is located one floor directly below the Department. Transgenic founder mice are produced in both hybrid and inbred lines. Cryopreservation of embryos and sperm is available for mouse models.

Drs. Walter and Herbert direct the facility and provide guidance as needed to investigators working with transgenic rodents. The facility hosts tour groups visiting the Health Science Center when requested, meets all federal guidelines for the humane handling of laboratory rodents and works closely with veterinarians and staff of the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources.

Transgenic Production Tutorial (PowerPoint presentation)
Transgenic Core Poster

Transgenic Services

• Production of transgenic mice and rats in a variety of strains
• Genotyping of potential founder animals
• Cesium purification of plasmid DNA for transgene fragment isolation (following large scale preparation by client)
• Purification of transgene fragment for microinjection
• Embryo cryopreservation
• Re-establishment of cryopreserved line
• Letters of support for grant applications
• Training session for core users in DNA isolation, and genotyping using PCR or Southern blot analysis
• Consultation on relevant matters (e.g. transgene design, establishing lines from a founder), as needed

Transgenic Services Check List

Before we will begin injecting a construct the investigator must provide ALL of the following:

1. The Transgenic Services Request Form must be completed and signed by the Principal Investigator.
2. A Request for Transfer of Experimental Animals Form (This form is not downloadable and must be obtained from the Lab Animal Resources office). The bottom half must be filled out with the investigator's protocol number and account number and must be signed.
3. 100 µg of digested plasmid. We require that the plasmid be purified through a CsCl gradient prior to digestion, to ensure maximum purity of the DNA. We will provide a protocol upon request.
4. An original picture of an aliquot of the digested DNA, run out on an agarose gel. The gel should also have a marker with the sizes clearly identified and the band containing the fragment to be injected should be clearly labeled.
5. A detailed map of the plasmid, suitable for diagnostic Southern blot analysis, with restriction sites and fragment sizes clearly marked.

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Transgenic Services Request Form

1. Open form - Transgenic Services Request Form
2. Print form.
3. Fill in the information.
4. Send To: UTHSCSA C&SB, Kim Hildreth, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio TX 78229

Transgenic Facility Contact:

      Kim Hildreth, Technical Director
      Email: hildreth@uthscsa.edu
      Room 2.055V
      Phone: 210-567-3820

Services | Check List | Transgenic Services Request Form | Transgenic Production Tutorial