The Role Of The C57BL/6N Mouse In The Creation Of Future Genetically Engineered Models

By Rosalba Sacca, PhD, Bruce Elder, PhD, and Katherine Wasson, DVM, PhD

Among animal species, the laboratory mouse has been instrumental in modeling human biology and disease states. The isolation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells in 1985 (Doetschman et al., 1985; Smithies, O. et al., 1985) and the subsequent ability to direct pre-planned mutagenesis of the murine genome by homologous recombination in the mES cells (Thomas et al., 1986; Kuehn et al., 1987), has allowed this seminal technology to address all aspects of mammalian biology. More recently, the availability of extensive information on mouse genetics, the use of inbred ES cell lines which significantly reduce the time to develop inbred knockout (KO) mice, and advances in molecular biology have made genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) a valuable tool in understanding biological functions. In addition, KO mice have been used extensively in the drug discovery process.