title: Forward and reverse genetic approaches to behavior in the mouse.
abstract: Modern molecular genetic and genomic approaches are revolutionizing the study of behavior in the mouse. "Reverse genetics" (from gene to phenotype) with targeted gene transfer provides a powerful tool to dissect behavior and has been used successfully to study the effects of null mutations in genes implicated in the regulation of long-term potentiation and spatial learning in mice. In addition, "forward genetics" (from phenotype to gene) with high-efficiency mutagenesis in the mouse can uncover unknown genes and has been used to isolate a behavioral mutant of the circadian system. With the recent availability of high-density genetic maps and physical mapping resources, positional cloning of virtually any mutation is now feasible in the mouse. Together, these approaches permit a molecular analysis of both known and previously unknown genes regulating behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Vitaterna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral / Q000379:methods*; D007858:Learning; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016296:Mutagenesis