Resource

PROJECT SUMMARY (Resource) The Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Center (MMRRC) at the University of Missouri (MU) provides a unique repository service by importing, storing and distributing mutant mouse strains, cryopreserved germplasm, embryonic stem cells and related reagents, as well as performing research to continuously improve the use of mouse models in research. Genetically engineered mice (GEM, i.e., transgenics, knock-outs and knock-ins) are invaluable in biomedical research. Tens of thousands of GEM have been created over the last three decades to facilitate better understanding of developmental biology and disease, and to test and improve the function of drugs and therapeutics. Since the MMRRC network began, it has evolved into largest public mouse resource for the research community with capabilities and a combined inventory of mouse lines and embryonic stem (ES) cells that exceeds the capacity of other mouse repositories worldwide. The overall goal of this proposal is to continue the existing services and expand the functions and capabilities of the MU MMRRC. The specific aims are to 1) provide biomedical investigators with the mouse models and related reagents they require for their research, 2) provide value-added services to aid the biomedical research community, and 3) perform research that has broad application to all mouse models. Over the next five years, the MU MMRRC will continue to rederive imported mice to a pathogen-free state; cryopreserve gametes and embryos; perform genetic and infectious disease monitoring to ensure quality; and distribute live mice, cryopreserved germplasm, tissues, and embryonic stem cells. Research efforts will continue to assess the role of complex gut microbiota in model phenotypes and model reproducibility and translatability by producing mice with a defined and well controlled humanized microbiota, and tools to better sample microbiota kinetics in living mice. These studies will yield new paradigms by which the MMRRC can provide mice (i.e. harboring one or more humanized complex microbiota) and refine value added services that will be made available to the biomedical research community. The MU MMRRC will also continue offering an increasing number of services that generate program income. Services include cryopreservation, cryoresuscitation from embryos or sperm, rederivation, genotyping and assay development, genetic background complexity analysis, karyotyping, colony management, phenotyping, and microbiome manipulation and analysis.