Genetically Engineered Mouse Core (GEMC)

The Genetically Engineered Mouse Core (GEMC) provides a centralized service to efficiently produce infection-free transgenic, chimeric, and advanced genome-edited strains of mice. These mice carry randomly inserted transgenes and/or site-specific alterations in the mouse genome of specific interest to Penn researchers. The GEMC offers services including DNA pronuclear injection into fertilized oocytes (along with genotyping of transgenic founders), ES cell injection into blastocysts, cytoplasmic/pronuclear injections into fertilized oocytes, embryo and sperm cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization, and pathogen-free re-derivation of live and cryopreserved lines. In collaboration with the CRISPR/Cas9 Mouse Targeting Core, the GEMC utilizes cutting-edge technologies to efficiently and cost-effectively generate knock-out, knock-in, and other complex genetic modifications in mice.

Website: https://genetics.med.upenn.edu/genetically-engineered-mouse-core-facility/

Grant Citation

Please cite the Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases (P30DK050306) in all publications related to core usage.

Core Personnel

Director

Douglas J. Epstein, Ph.D. - epsteind@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Technical Director

Kathy Moosebrugger - kthompso@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Research Specialist

Carolyn Colledge - carolyn.colledge@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

The GEMC provides the following services on a routine basis:

• CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing
  Injection or electroporation of Cas9 RNP mix into mouse embryos to create genetically edited mice
• DNA Microinjection
  Injection of DNA into mouse embryos to generate transgenic mice or embryos.
• ES cell Injection
  Injection of embryonic stem cells into blastocysts (3.5-day embryo) to produce chimeric mice.
• Sperm Cryopreservation
  Collection, freezing and storage of mouse sperm
• Embryo Cryopreservation
  Collection, freezing and storage of mouse embryos.
• Mouse Line Rederivation
  Surgical transfer of embryos into pathogen-free recipient females to re-establish mouse lines.
• In-Vitro Fertilization
  Collection and fertilization of mouse oocytes and sperm in the lab.

Contact the GEMC for other specialized services.