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Gene expression

Mapping the mouse mind

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 4, page 931 (2003)Cite this article

The GENSAT project exploits the library of bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) associated with the mouse genome sequence. Modified BACs are produced in which a reporter sequence that encodes an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) is substituted for the coding region of a gene of interest. Transgenic mouse lines are then generated that carry the construct, which allows reporter-gene expression to be systematically analysed during development. The resulting data, which have been verified through mRNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, have been integrated and analysed to create a digital atlas of the mouse brain that can be viewed online and will be updated whenever new data are generated.

This innovative project is allowing gene expression to be correlated with cell type and the elaborate specializations of morphologically complex cells, such as neurons, to be visualized. Furthermore, small groups of cells that express a particular gene can be identified and their development followed over time.

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References

ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Gong, S. et al. A gene expression atlas of the central nervous system based on bacterial artificial chromosomes. Nature 425, 917–925 (2003)

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FURTHER READING

  1. Heintz, N. BAC to the future: the use of BAC transgenic mice for neuroscience research. Nature Rev. Neurosci. 3, 861–870 (2001)

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Authors
  1. Victoria Kitchener
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GENSAT BAC Transgenic Project

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Kitchener, V. Mapping the mouse mind. Nat Rev Genet 4, 931 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg1235

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg1235

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