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Genetic engineering and molecular technology.

Bolon BD; Galbreath E; Sargent L; Weiss J

The Laboratory Rat. Krinke GJ, Bullock G, Bunton T, eds., London: Academic Press, 2000 Jun; :603-633

20020895

Scientists have been performing genetic manipula­tions and analyses since Mendel first reported the heritable nature of physical characteristics in pea plants in 1865. With respect to rats, experimental biologists who crossbred rat strains for a variety of traits (Chapter 1) were occasionally rewarded by the advent of an unexpected functional or structUral phenotype. Such serendipitously acquired mutant lines, most of which result froT a spontaneous mutation to a single gene, were often expanded and characterized to serve as animal models of human diseases. However, a large-scale random breeding program to produce new lines with novel mutations would be very costly in rodents, even if combined with treatments that accelerate the muta­tion rate (e.g. Kasarkis et al., 1998). Furthermore, random breeding schemes and mutagenic agents cannot be employed effectively to produce defects in specific genes of interest.

Genetics; Genetic factors; Genetic engineering; Molecular biology; Laboratory animals; Animals; Animal studies; Genes

20000615

Book or book chapter

Krinke GJ; Bullock G; Bunton T

2000

012426400X

HELD

The Laboratory Rat

WV