Protocol describes a method for collecting blastocysts from pregnant female mice at 3.5 to 4.5 days post coitum (dpc). The blastocysts can then be injected with embryonic stem cells to make chimeras. - [Read Collecting Blastocysts Protocol]
The starting material for de novo isolation of stem cell lines can be either normal 3.5-days post coitum (dpc) expanded blastocysts or "delayed" blastocysts. Delayed blastocysts are usually collected 4-6 days after ovariectomy. For both groups of blastocysts, tissue culture procedures are similar. The only difference is the timing of the first disaggregation, because delayed blastocysts will initially grow more slowly. - [Read De Novo Isolation of Embryonic Stem (ES) Cell Lines from Blastocysts Protocol]
This protocol decribes derivation of TS cell lines from 3.5-days post coitum (dpc) mouse blastocysts. The procedure is similar to the derivation of embryonic stem (ES) cell lines. However, the success rate is considerably higher, and less expertise is required to recognize pluripotent TS cell colonies. - [Read Derivation of Trophoblast Stem (TS) Cell Lines from Blastocysts Protocol]
This protocol describes a method for injecting mouse blastocysts with embryonic stem (ES) cells to produce chimeras. - [Read Injecting Blastocysts Protocol]
The core defines one injection as a total of forty blastocysts injected on two consecutive days using one or two clones for the same mutation. Please, refer to the Pricing page for information on the cost of one injection. - [Read Microinjection of Mouse ES Cells into Blastocysts]
Details a placenta specific gene manipulation by transducing blastocysts with lentiviral vectors1. After a removal of zona pellucida which functions as a physical barrier, trophoblast cells lying outermost layer of blastocyst were transduced from outside with high-titer lentiviral vectors. As most placental cells descend from trophoblast cells while fetus originated from inner cell mass, transgene expression can be observed in trophoblast cells from preimplantation stages and in placenta... - [Read Placenta Specific Gene Manipulation by Transducing Zona-Free Blastocyst using Lentiviral Vector]
Blastocyst transfer is usually performed 24 hours after aggregation, when the morulae have become expanded blastocysts, and on the same day as injection. A little time is given between injection and transfer to allow the blastocysts to re-expand. Includes: The Mouse Recipient; The Transfer. - [Read Transfer of Injected Blastocysts to Pseudo Pregnant Mice Protocol]
The protocol gives general considerations for the design of targeting vectors for transgenic mice. The protocol shares tips in the design of knock-out and knock-in vectors and some of their strategies for producing homologously recombined embryonic stem cells.