Our Services
End-to-end project implementation
The key to any successful transgenic or animal research project lies in careful planning and an understanding of the limitations of various approaches available i.e. choosing the most suited strategy for your research question.
We are happy to provide advice at all stages of your project, whether only considering transgenics as a possible avenue or require complete study implementation.
Novel model generation (CRISPR/Cas9)
Genetically-altered animals and cells represent an ever-growing link between understanding the cause of human disease and effective therapeutic development.
We offer a full range of capabilities to create knockout, conditional, reporter and humanised genetically altered animals and cells in culture, including gene-modification of existing knockouts. Our highly experienced PhD level staff, ensure fast and efficient delivery of customised projects according to your research needs.
Rederivation
The removal of viruses, bacteria and other endo- or exo-parasites from transgenic stock is paramount to the operation of any present day SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) Animal facility.
We can rederive animals to SOPF status, whether originally maintained as a conventional stock or are currently of unknown health status. Confirmation of the successful clean-up of the animals is provided via a full health report, allowing the animals to be imported directly into your animal facility.
Cryopreservation
When maintained exclusively as a live colony, genetically altered animals are at constant risk of disease, erroneous breeding, loss of fecundity or unforeseen disasters including fire and flooding.
We can perform embryo- and sperm-cryopreservation of any mouse background. Cryopreservation is more cost-effective than keeping animals as a live colony, especially when not needed for research purposes. In addition, the process of cryopreservation allows the generation of SOPF status offspring.
Rapid expansion
Invariably, research programmes are time critical. Limited numbers of founder animals and poor breading performance can significantly impact upon the successful delivery of your research.
We provide in vitro fertilisation as a method to rapidly increase the size of your research colony. This can be particularly important when initiating a new project, where typically, breeding colonies are established from restricted numbers of animals sourced from collaborators or commercial providers.
Validation and Execution
Novel transgenic models generated by gene-editing nucleases can result in genetically complex off-spring (heteroallelic variants and mosaic founders) in addition to possible off-target effects.
We will develop robust genotyping protocols (inc. Southern blotting) to ensure the validity of your research model. The possibility of off-target effects can also be assessed through genome analysis by next- generation sequencing.
We can phenotype the models to ensure functional transgenics or even execute the study from design to down-stream analysis, as required by you.