Genetically Engineered Mice and Rats
With scientific experts, veterinarians, and project managers who have decades of experience, and the largest global network of breeding locations, we take pride in our ability to offer an unparalleled selection of strategic services for genetically engineered models that meet your unique needs and move your research forward with opportunities that result in significant time and cost savings.
Streamline Budget and Research Programs for Your Genetically Engineered Models with a Trusted Partner
Uncover how our innovative IVF technology and rapid quarantine services save you significant time, while tailored housing, breeding, and cryopreservation give you varied cost-effective options to advance studies while supporting 3Rs animal reduction. Watch the Webinar Series
| Mouse & Rat Breeding & Colony Management | We have over 60 years of experience breeding mice and rats with all types of genetic mutations. Leverage our industry-leading Internet Colony Management (ICM™) system for 24/7 access to your colonies and RapID Tag® for mouse identification and data integrity. |
| Cryopreservation and Cryorecovery | Optimize space and budgets, back up live animal colonies and store lines that are not actively being used. Lines can be recovered in as little as 10 – 12 weeks. |
| Animal Quarantine Services | Assess health status and prevent contamination when receiving models from another organization. With our rapid quarantine, get results in as little as three weeks. |
| Rederivation | Rederivation services remove unwanted pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites from rodent colonies. |
| Rat & Mouse IVF: Rapid Colony Development | In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other technologies are used to expand a small colony and generate hundreds (or thousands) of animals for study. |
| Line Rescue | Our line rescue services can diagnose, plan, and recover breeding colonies; allowing research and breeding to continue |
| Rat & Mouse Model Creation | Generation of mutant mouse and rat models including knockout, transgenic, knockin, knockdown, models and more |
| Genetic Testing Services | We provide genotyping, assay development, background strain characterization, speed congenics, and zygosity testing. |
| Proof-of-Concept Non-GLP Studies | Confirm line characterization and the basic premise of modifications to a genetically engineered model or a genetically modified compound. |
| MEA Testing | Screen media and materials for toxicity using the mouse embryo assay (MEA) testing. |
Rodent Model Genetic Quality Control
Learn the essentials of genetic QC programs: inbred/outbred colony quality control, transgenic rodent model creation, rederivation, and cryopreservation techniques.
Download the Guidebook
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Genetically Engineered Models
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What are genetically engineered mice?
Genetically engineered mice have their genome altered and are used for gene research and in human disease studies.
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What is the advantage of working with Charles River to obtain animals that have been genetically engineered?
With Charles River you’ll receive:
- Advice from experienced scientific teams utilizing a variety of techniques.
- Strict adherence to project timelines for creating genetically engineered animals.
- Access to, and advice on, CRISPR licensing, with ownership of intellectual property.
- A high health status with breeding under VAF/Plus® (SOPF) standards.
- A high degree of model validation and analysis to ensure your new model generates consistent study data.
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What species does Charles River work with for genetically engineered animal model creation, breeding, and embryology support services?
At Charles River, we are experts not only with genetically engineered mice, but also with transgenic animals and knockout rats.
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What are some of the advantages of using knockout mouse models?
The gene knockout method is the simplest approach to reveal fundamental gene functions. Conditional knockout/inducible mice, inducible knockout mice, and knockdown mice can avoid the risk of a lethal phenotype associated with gene inactivation at earlier stages in development and allow for an analysis of gene inactivation effects on adult animals. Furthermore, as 65% of protein coding genes are likely pleiotropic, a conditional knockout mouse simplifies phenotyping analysis by focusing on a specific cell type.
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Is there a colony management program for mice and rat breeding?
We provide a full-service animal colony management program for genetically engineered animals that delivers animals in the exact quantity and health status you require. Our staff works with you to deliver cohorts of animals and develop and execute mouse or rat breeding plans.
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Is there an online tool for animal colony management?
In addition to providing breeding services, our Internet Colony Management (ICM)™ system complements our breeding services and comprehensively supports your colonies. ICM™ allows real-time communication to ensure the data is accurate and project goals are aligned. It securely stores project information and documentation online to simplify record keeping. Customers can easily find the data they need quickly by the extensive filtering and sorting features in the system.
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What services are offered for genetically engineered mice and rats?
Services offered for genetically engineered animals:
