Abstract:
Genetically modified mice and nucleic acid constructs for making the genetically modified mice are described. A first mouse having a gene encoding an activator (such as a Cre recombinase) operably linked to a developmentally-regulated promoter (such as a Nanog promoter) is provided. A second mouse having a toxic responder gene (such as a gene encoding diphtheria toxin A) is provided, where the toxic gene is expressed only in the presence of an activator. Embryos from a mating of the first and the second mouse are provided as host embryos suitable for generating mice from donor cells introduced into the host embryos. Ablating the ICM of a mouse embryo physically, chemically, or genetically is described, as well as making FO generation mice that are substantially or in full derived from donor cells, employing a host mouse embryo with an ablated or nonproliferating ICM.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods are provided for making rat pluripotent and totipotent cells, including rat embryonic stem (ES) cells. Compositions and methods for improving efficiency or frequency of germline transmission of genetic modifications in rats are provided. Such methods and compositions comprise an in vitro culture comprising a feeder cell layer and a population of rat ES cells or a rat ES cell line, wherein the in vitro culture conditions maintain pluripotency of the ES cell and comprises a media having mouse leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF) or an active variant or fragment thereof. Various methods of establishing such rat ES cell lines are further provided. Methods of selecting genetically modified rat ES cells are also provided, along with various methods to generate a transgenic rat from the genetically modified rat ES cells provided herein. Various kits and articles of manufacture are further provided.
Abstract:
Methods of generating modified embryos and mammals by introduction of donor cells into an early stage embryo are provided, such that the resulting embryo and animal generated therefrom has a significant or complete contribution to all tissues from the donor cells and is capable of transmitting the donor cell DNA.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for generating F0 fertile XY female animals. The methods and compositions involve making XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cells, in vitro cell cultures, or embryos that are capable of producing a fertile female XY animal in an F0 generation. Such cells, embryos, and animals can be made by silencing a region of the Y chromosome. Optionally, the cells can also be cultured in feminizing medium such as a low-osmolality medium and/or can be modified to decrease the level and/or activity of an Sry protein. Methods and compositions are also provided for silencing a region of the Y chromosome in an XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cell, or in vitro cell cultures, embryos, or animals derived therefrom, by maintaining an XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cell in a feminizing medium. Methods and compositions are also provided for maintaining a population of XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cells in a feminizing medium and selecting cells or clones having increased capabilities for producing a fertile female XY animal in an F0 generation. Methods and compositions are also provided for screening for compounds with feminizing activity or for optimizing concentrations of components in feminizing media.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods are provided for making one or more targeted genetic modifications at a target genomic locus by employing homologous recombination facilitated by single or double-strand break at or near the target genomic locus. Compositions and methods for promoting efficiency of homologous recombination between an LTVEC and a target genomic locus in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells using engineered nucleases are also provided.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for generating F0 fertile XY female animals. The methods and compositions involve making XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cells, in vitro cell cultures, or embryos that are capable of producing a fertile female XY animal in an F0 generation. Such cells, embryos, and animals can be made by silencing a region of the Y chromosome. Optionally, the cells can also be cultured in feminizing medium such as a low-osmolality medium and/or can be modified to decrease the level and/or activity of an Sry protein. Methods and compositions are also provided for silencing a region of the Y chromosome in an XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cell, or in vitro cell cultures, embryos, or animals derived therefrom, by maintaining an XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cell in a feminizing medium. Methods and compositions are also provided for maintaining a population of XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cells in a feminizing medium and selecting cells or clones having increased capabilities for producing a fertile female XY animal in an F0 generation. Methods and compositions are also provided for screening for compounds with feminizing activity or for optimizing concentrations of components in feminizing media.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for modifying one or more target loci in a cell. Such methods comprise providing a cell comprising a first polynucleotide encoding a first selection marker operably linked to a first promoter active in the cell, wherein the first polynucleotide further comprises a first recognition site for a first nuclease agent. A first nuclease agent is introduced into a cell, wherein the first nuclease agent induces a nick or double-strand break at the first recognition site. Further introduced into the cell is a first targeting vector comprising a first insert polynucleotide flanked by a first and a second homology arm that correspond to a first and a second target site located in sufficient proximity to the first recognition site. At least one cell is then identified comprising in its genome the first insert polynucleotide integrated at the target locus.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods are provided for modifying a rat genomic locus of interest using a large targeting vector (LTVEC) comprising various endogenous or exogenous nucleic acid sequences as described herein. Compositions and methods for generating a genetically modified rat comprising one or more targeted genetic modifications in their germline are also provided. Compositions and methods are provided which comprise a genetically modified rat or rat cell comprising a targeted genetic modification in the rat interleukin-2 receptor gamma locus, the rat ApoE locus, the rat Rag2 locus, the rat Rag1 locus and/or the rat Rag2/Rag1 locus. The various methods and compositions provided herein allows for these modified loci to be transmitted through the germline.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods are provided for creating and promoting biallelic targeted modifications to genomes within cells and for producing non-human animals comprising the modified genomes. Also provided are compositions and methods for modifying a genome within a cell that is heterozygous for an allele to become homozygous for that allele. The methods make use of Cas proteins and two or more guide RNAs that target different locations within the same genomic target locus. Also provided are methods of identifying cells with modified genomes.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for generating or maintaining human iPS cells in culture. Methods include the use of a low osmolality medium to make human iPS cells, or use of a low osmolality medium to maintain human iPS cells. Methods for making targeted genetic modification to human iPS cells cultured in low osmolality medium are also included. Compositions include human iPS cells cultured and maintained using the low osmolality medium defined herein.