About the Core

Genetically-altered mice were first generated at Vanderbilt by pronuclear microinjection of DNA in 1989 and from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) in 1993. Recognizing the value of this technology for biomedical and cancer research, the leadership of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) provided start-up funding that enabled this facility to be officially launched on October 1, 1993. The Transgenic/ESC Shared Resource now has oversight within the Center for Stem Cell Biology.

Initially this Resource offered just two services: pronuclear microinjection of DNA and the microinjection of mESCs into mouse blastocysts. However, it was soon expanded and began offering gene targeting as a service in July 1995. All of these services, and several others, have been provided on a continuous basis since then. By having a single centralized facility, VUMC is able to provide quality control, the ability to develop new techniques and applications, the increased potential for collegial interactions, and access to individuals with knowledge of dealing with transgenic mice.