Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
09:07
Generation of Transgenic Rats using a Lentiviral Vector Approach
Published on: May 17, 2020
Genetic manipulations in the rat: progress and prospects.
Guanyi Huang1, Charles Ashton, Dhruv S Kumbhani
1Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension
|May 7, 2011
Summary
Recent advances in rat genome manipulation include the development of authentic rat embryonic stem cells and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs). These genetic tools enhance the creation of gene knockout rats and disease models for physiological studies.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Animal Models
Background:
- The rat is a crucial model organism for physiological, pharmacological, and neurobehavioral research.
- Recent years have seen significant progress in genetic manipulation techniques for rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in rat genome manipulation.
- To highlight the current status, prospects, and applications of these techniques in the postgenomic era.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of authentic rat embryonic stem cells using the 2i/3i culture system.
- Application of zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) for gene targeting.
- Improvements in random mutagenesis via transposons and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU).
- Optimization of phenotype-driven approaches using the in-vitro rat spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) system.
Main Results:
- Successful generation of the first gene knockout rats using embryonic stem cell-based gene targeting.
- ZFNs offer an alternative to germline competent embryonic stem cells.
- Enhanced random mutagenesis techniques and the in-vitro SSC system optimize phenotype-driven approaches.
Conclusions:
- Recent reverse genetic approaches, alongside established mutagenesis systems, significantly advance the deciphering of gene functions in rats.
- These advancements facilitate the creation of sophisticated rat disease models.
- The rat remains a vital model organism, with enhanced genetic tools improving its utility in research.
