Protocol describes castration of male mice, which is used to eliminate testicular hormones and/or to obtain testes for analysis without sacrificing the male. Castration is performed in a similar manner to vasectomy. - [Read Mouse Castration Protocol]
For all the transgenic or other mouse researchers out there who have had to explain why colony infections are not just bad for the welfare of the animals concerned, but may invalidate the ongoing studies as well. - [Read Natural Pathogens of Laboratory Mice and Rats]
RAW 264.7 cells are a macrophage-like, Abelson leukemia virus
transformed cell line derived from BALB/c mice. For routine maintenance in culture (passage), cells are seeded at a confluence of approximately 10% (1 x 106 and 3 x 106 cells in 100-mm and 150-mm plates, respectively) and grown to a confluence of approximately 80%. This procedure requires the cells to be split every two days. - [Read Passage Procedure for RAW 264.7 Cells]
PCR GENOTYPING PROTOCOL. 1) Cut toes of mice at approx. ten days of age and record sex, color, and strain. ... Back to Mouse Genotyping Resources. - [Read PCR GENOTYPING PROTOCOL]
Nonviral, DNA-mediated gene transfer is an alternative to viral delivery systems for expressing new genes in cells and tissues. The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system combines the advantages of viruses and naked DNA molecules for gene therapy purposes; however, efficacious delivery of DNA molecules to animal tissues can still be problematic. Here we describe the hydrodynamic delivery procedure for the SB transposon system that allows efficient delivery to the liver in the mouse. - [Read Preferential Delivery of the Sleeping Beauty transposon System to Livers of Mice by Hydrodynamic i]
Method is used chiefly to genotype transgenic and knockout mice. Each 6-10-mm snippet of mouse tail yields 50-100 µg of DNA that can be used in dot or slot blotting to detect a transgene of interest, in Southern hybridization to detect DNA fragments that are <20 kb in size, and as a template in PCRs. - [Read Preparation of Genomic DNA from Mouse Tails and Other Small Samples Protocol]
Simple protocol is used to extract DNA from small numbers of cultured cells and from fragments of soft or bony tissues. The method is used chiefly to genotype transgenic and knockout mice. Each 6-10-mm snippet of mouse tail yields 50-100 µg of DNA that can be used in dot or slot blotting to detect a transgene of interest, in Southern hybridization to detect DNA fragments that are <20 kb in size, and as a template in PCRs. - [Read Preparation of Genomic DNA from Mouse Tails and Other Small Samples Protocol]
Protocol permits the isolation of at least 3 µg of total RNA from approximately 150,000 cultured cardiac myocytes from adult mice. Includes: Treatment of Samples and Termination of Reactions; Isolation of RNA; Use of Environmental Chamber. - [Read Preparation of Myocyte RNA for Microarray Analysis Protocol]
Protocol demonstrates that reactive astrocytes play a crucial role in wound healing and functional recovery by using mice with a selective deletion of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) or suppression of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) under the control of Nestin gene promoter/enhancer (STAT3N–/–, SOCS3N–/–). Procedure includes: Surgical procedures, Functional evaluation, Immunohistochemistry, In vitro migration assay. - [Read Protocol for Conditional Ablation of stat3/socs3 Discloses the Dual Role for Reactive Astrocytes]
Protocol describes a split luciferase complementation assay that can be used to repetitively and noninvasively study the interaction of proteins in small living animals. After the expression of the appropriate vectors has been checked in cell culture in vivo, studies can be performed either by implanting transiently transfected cells for short-term analysis (maximum of 7 days), or with tumor models grown from tumor cells stably expressing the complete reporter system. - [Read Split Luciferase Complementation Assay for Studying Interaction of Proteins X and Y in Living Mice]
Protocol for steps in hybridoma production. Includes: SIMPLE METHOD: BY FROM GIBCO the HAT and HT concentrate; INSTRUMENTS FOR SPLENECTOMY OF ONE MICE; PREPARATION FOR CELL FUSION; CELL FUSION; SCREENING THE CLONES; RECLONING; ASCITIC FLUID PRODUCTION; PREPARATION OF PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES. - [Read Steps in Hybridoma Production Protocol]
Transfection of primary leukocytes has traditionally been a challenging but much desired protocol. It allows not only the analysis of cells in a more natural state to a cell line system, it enables the direct comparison of, for e.g. transcriptional activity using luciferase reporters, in immune cells taken from genetically-altered mice. In addition, importantly it allows for "rescue experiments" in knockout cells & the ability to over-express or reconstitute wild-type and/or mutated constructs. - [Read Transfection of Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cells for Transcription Factor Luciferase Reporter Assays]
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]
Protocol describes a method for vasectomy in which the vas deferens is accessed through the abdominal wall. Mice are ready for mating after ~10-14 days. Vasectomized males can be bred with fertile females to obtain plugs for timed matings. The pseudopregnant females can then be used for oviduct and uterine transfers. For an alternative protocol, see Vasectomy for Generation of Sterile Males: Access via Scrotal Sac. - [Read Vasectomy for Generation of Sterile Males: Access via Abdominal Wall Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for vasectomy in which the vas deferens is accessed through the scrotal sac. Mice are ready for mating after ~10-14 days. Vasectomized males can be bred with fertile females to obtain plugs for timed matings. The pseudopregnant females can then be used for oviduct and uterine transfers. - [Read Vasectomy for Generation of Sterile Mouse Males: Access via Scrotal Sac Protocols]
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.