Zinc-finger nucleases: new strategies to target the rat genome.
The importance of genetic laboratory models, such as mice and rats, becomes evident when there is a poor understanding of the nature of human disease. Many rat models for human disease, created over the years by phenotype-driven strategies, now provide a foundation for the identification of their genetic determinants. These models are especially valuable with the emerging need for validation of genes found in genome-wide association studies for complex diseases. The manipulation of the rat genome using engineered zinc-finger nucleases now introduces a key technology for manipulating the rat genome, which is broadly applicable. The ability to generate knockout rat models using zinc-finger nuclease technology will now enable its full emergence as an exceptional physiological and genetic research model.
Geurts
Aron M
AM
Cardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 53226, USA. ageurts@mcw.edu
Moreno
Carol
C
D000818:Animals; D004260:DNA Repair; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D051381:Rats; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics*
D003851:Deoxyribonucleases