title: The gene or not the gene--that is the question: understanding the genetically engineered mouse phenotype.
abstract: Embryonic stem cells have had a significant impact on understanding gene function and gene interactions through the use of genetically engineered mice. However, the genetic context (ie, mouse strain) in which these modifications in alleles are made may have a considerable effect on the phenotypic changes identified in these mice. In addition, tissue- and time-specific gene expression systems may generate unanticipated outcomes. This article discusses the history of embryonic stem cells, reviews how mouse strain can affect phenotype (using specific examples), and examines some of the caveats of conditional gene expression systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1301 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. Rani.sellers@einstein.yu.edu
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sellers
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000145:classification*; D009154:Mutation; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010641:Phenotype; D013997:Time Factors; D019076:Transgenes