Reference genomes for BALB/c Nude and NOD/SCID mouse models.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Genomics
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Mouse xenograft models are essential for cancer research and drug development.
• Immunocompromised strains like NOD/SCID and BALB/c Nude facilitate successful tumor transplantation.
• Limited genomic data for these models hinders their optimization and application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide high-quality genome assemblies for NOD/SCID and BALB/c Nude mouse strains.
• To enhance the utility and understanding of these immunocompromised models in research.
• To identify genomic differences compared to the C57BL/6 reference genome.

Main Methods:

• Whole-genome sequencing of NOD/SCID and BALB/c Nude mice.
• De novo genome assembly to achieve near full-chromosome representation.
• Liftover annotation using the GRCm39 reference genome.

Main Results:

• Near complete genome assemblies for NOD/SCID and BALB/c Nude strains were generated.
• Initial analysis revealed genomic variations between these models and the C57BL/6 reference.
• The assemblies are annotated and ready for comparative genomic studies.

Conclusions:

• The presented genome assemblies address a critical knowledge gap for NOD/SCID and BALB/c Nude mice.
• These genomic resources will facilitate improved experimental design and data interpretation in xenograft studies.
• Understanding strain-specific genomic alterations is vital for advancing cancer research and drug discovery.