Speed Congenics

Targeted mutations in one genetic background (for example, 129SV) frequently need to be transferred to another background more suitable for physiological analysis (for example, C57Bl6). This process takes at least ten generations, but strain-specific polymorphic markers can be utilized to speed this process to no more than five generations. Offspring from each round of mating that have the greatest contribution of chromosomes from the desired background should be selected for the next mating.

This selected breeding process is termed “speed congenics.” The MGC uses Transnetyx to screen tail samples using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to distinguish between strains. Conversion between most inbred lines can be accommodated. The investigator provides tail samples to the MGC for shipping to TYX and results are completed within 2 weeks.