Functional genomics approach using mice.
The rapid development and characterization of the mouse genome sequence, coupled with comparative sequence analysis of human, has been paralleled by a reinforced enthusiasm for mouse functional genomics. The way to uncover the in vivo function of genes is to analyze the phenotypes of the mutant animals. From this standpoint, the mouse is a suitable and valuable model organism in the studies of functional genomics. Therefore, there have been enormous efforts to enrich the list of the mutant mice. Such a trend emphasizes the random mutagenesis, including ENU mutagenesis and gene-trap mutagenesis, to obtain a large stock of mutant mice. However, since various mutant alleles are needed to precisely characterize the role of a gene in vivo, mutations should be designed. The simplicity and utility of transgenic technology can satisfy this demand. The combination of RNA interference with transgenic technology will provide more opportunities for researchers. Nevertheless, gene targeting can solely define the in vivo function of a gene without a doubt. Thus, transgenesis and gene targeting will be the major strategies in the field of functional genomics.
Sung
Young Hoon
YH
Samsung Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Suwon 440-746, Korea.
Song
Jaewhan
J
Lee
Han-Woong
HW
D000818:Animals; D005038:Ethylnitrosourea / Q000633:toxicity; D018390:Gene Targeting; D005820:Genetic Testing; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice / Q000235:genetics*; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism
D009153:Mutagens; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D005038:Ethylnitrosourea