Generalities
Because of its genetic, immunological, physiological and pathological similarities with humans, the mouse serves as a key model to study many great diseases, and facilitates the understanding of the function of several genes. As of today, the mouse is the leading model organism in both basic and applied research. Its high reproductive capacity and excellent knowledge for its maintenance in breeding facilitate its handling. Moreover, obtening very stable lines and modify them genetically is easy: by mutagenesis, additional transgenesis, homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells or targeted recombination in vivo.
Many tools are available to monitor gene expression, affect genes spatially and temporally, and characterize cell populations in or ex vivo. Major international programmes aim to generate one mutant per gene in the mouse genome.
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- Souris @EFOR
- Name : Mus musculus
- Phylogenetic classification : rodent, family Muridae
- Sequenced genome complete
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Genome size : 3,4 billion pb.
Number of genes : about 25.000. About 90% of genes in human and mouse are direct orthologs.
Reproduction
Breeding season : all year round
Sexual maturity: 6 to 8 weeks
Number of litters per year: 4 to 8
Gestation period: 18 to 21 days
Number of pups per litter: usually between 5 and 12 pups.
Weaning age: 4 weeks
Tools
- Large number of inbred, congenic and consomic lines
- Large number of natural or induced mutants
- Transegenesis: production of mutations gain of function (overexpression of a gene)
- Targeted transgenesis: production of mutations loss of function ("knock-out") gene substitution ("knock-in"), point mutations or conditional mutations (time/space)
- Numerous functional exploration techniques
Databases
Infrastructures
- Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS)
- http://www.ics-mci.fr/en/
- Strasbourg
- Plateforme Recombinaison homologue, transfert d'embryons et cryoconservation de l'institut Cochin (PHRTEC)
- https://www.institutcochin.fr/les-plateformes/recombinaison_homologue
- Paris
- Plateforme d'hébergement et expérimentation animale de l'Institut Jacques Monod - Université de Paris
- Paris
- Plateau de Biologie Expérimentale de la Souris (Anira-PBES)
- http://www.ens-lyon.fr/recherche/structures-de-recherche/equipements/plateau-de-biologie-experimentale-de-la-souris
- Lyon
- Laboratoire Bernard et Marie Malissen
- http://www.ciml.univ-mrs.fr/fr/science/lab-bernard-marie-malissen/dissection-genetique-de-la-fonction-des-lymphocytes-t-et-des
- Marseille
- Infrastructure PHENOMIN
- http://www.phenomin.fr/en-us/
- Strasbourg
- Experimental Stroke Research Platform
- http://www.esrp.fr/
- Caen
Experts
- Marie MALISSEN
- malissen@ciml.univ-mrs.fr
- CIML, Marseille
- Yann HERAULT
- herault@igbmc.fr
- Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Strasbourg
Bibliography
- Articles
[FR] « Un siècle de génétique avec des souris » Jean-Louis Guénet
- Websites