Transgenic Mouse Facility

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT - TRANSGENIC MOUSE FACILITY (TMF) The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) Transgenic Mouse Facility (TMF) supports the development of state-of-the-art mouse models of cancer for University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) investigators. The TMF’s major objective is to provide high quality, cost-effective, custom services related to genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) tailored to the needs of individual researcher. TMF supports the scientific needs of UCCCC investigators related to the generation, breeding and maintenance of genetically engineered mice. In the reporting period, 19 unique UCCCC members (63% MMC, 37% IC) utilized TMF for their research. In addition, 31 cancer- related federal grants, and 30 cancer relevant peer reviewed publications (37% in journals with impact factor > 10) resulted from research involving the TMF. The TMF allows investigators to maintain intellectual ownership of the models generated, an advantage over commercial services. Future efforts are aimed at maintaining the high-quality services offered. TMF anticipates increasing usage through increasing demand for animals with patient specific mutations in the next CCSG cycle. To meet the demand, TMF will continue to evaluate rapidly evolving gene editing technologies for efficiency and application to animal model development and ensure that staff are trained in new approaches both on-site and through participating in external workshops.