Poster Sessions

RSS-8

David Sims

D. Sims, W. T. Hsieh, L. Feigenbaum

Speed Congenics Services at NCI-Frederick

The genetic background of the host animal exerts great influence on the tumor frequency and/or the resultant latency of a particular transgene or mutation, as well as the systemic host immune responses. Therefore, it is advantageous to study these genetic modifications in a congenic mouse, which has a homogeneous genome, varying only by the region containing the transgene or targeted mutation. Classically, these congenic strains are made by backcrossing random carriers to the desired inbred strain. This process can take up to 10 generations of backcrossing and 2.5 years to complete. The Laboratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) at NCI-Frederick offers to NIH/NCI-intramural investigators the custom production of congenic strains by accelerated, marker-assisted backcrossing (“speed congenics”). The speed congenics approach, which is based on selection of genetically optimal breeders at each backcross generation, allows for congenic strains to be derived in 12-14 months.