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Advanced Transgenic and Gene-Targeting Approaches

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Abstract

Over the past two decades the techniques associated with the manipulation of the mouse genome have provided a powerful approach toward the better understanding of gene function. Conventional transgenie and gene targeting approaches have been used extensively, and these techniques have been particularly rewarding for neuroscientists. Nevertheless, the traditional approaches toward genome manipulation have certain limitations that diminish their usefulness for studying more sophisticated biological processes. Therefore, variations to these techniques have recently been developed. The improvements are focused on two areas: one provides regulated control of transgene expression using an inducible expression system; and the other provides the opportunity to inactivate genes in specific cells and at predetermined developmental stages with a conditional gene targeting system. This review summarizes the advantages as well as some of the technical difficulties of these new approaches. The application of these advanced approaches in biomedical research, particularly neuroscience, are also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7250

    Xiang Gao, April Kemper & Brian Popko

  2. Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7250

    Brian Popko

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  1. Xiang Gao
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  2. April Kemper
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  3. Brian Popko
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Gao, X., Kemper, A. & Popko, B. Advanced Transgenic and Gene-Targeting Approaches. Neurochem Res 24, 1181–1188 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020772706279

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