Transgenic and Gene Targeting Facility
Engineering Mouse Models and Cell Lines to Advance Biomedical Discovery
The Transgenic and Gene Targeting Facility (TGTF) provides comprehensive mouse genetic engineering, reproductive technology, and cryopreservation services to support biomedical research at the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI), National University of Singapore, and the wider research community.
Our experienced team collaborates closely with investigators from project conception to model generation, validation, preservation, and recovery. We specialize in the development of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) for cancer, immunology, developmental biology, neuroscience, metabolism, and translational research.
Why choose TGTF?
✔ End-to-end support from project design to mouse model generation
✔ CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing expertise
✔ Established embryonic stem (ES) cell engineering platform
✔ Comprehensive cryopreservation and recovery services
✔ High project success rates and rapid turnaround times
✔ Consultation for grant applications and experimental design
Core Facility Manager
Dr Tim Hon Man CHAN
Senior Research Fellow
timchan[at]nus.edu.sg
Key Operator
YU Shuizhou
Senior Laboratory Executive
csiyus[at]nus.edu.sg
Consultant
Principle Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, NUS
yvonnetay[at]nus.edu.sg
Transgenic and Gene Targeting Services
CRISPR-engineered cell line/mouse models
Applications include:
- Â Knockout (KO) models
- Â Knock-in (KI) models
- Â Conditional alleles
Benefits:
- Â Rapid model generation
- Â Cost-effective approach
- Â High success rate (>90%)
- Â Expected turnaround time:
Cell Line: 2 – 4 months
Mouse: 6 – 9 months
TGTF provides guidance on genome editing strategy, reagent design, founder screening, and breeding plans.
Generation of transgenic mice through pronuclear microinjection of DNA constructs
Applications include:
- Â Tissue-specific expression models
- Â Inducible transgenic systems
- Â Reporter lines
- Â Gene overexpression studies
Services include:
- Â Pronuclear microinjection
- Â Founder screening
- Â DNA quality assessment
For complex genome engineering projects requiring precise genomic modifications.
Applications include:
- Â Large genomic insertions
- Â Complex conditional alleles
- Â Targeted replacement strategies
- Â Sophisticated knock-in designs
Services include:
- Â ES cell electroporation
- Â Clone screening
- Â Expansion of positive clones
- Â Chimera production support
Generation of chimeric mice through blastocyst injection of genetically modified ES cells.
Services include:
- Â Blastocyst microinjection
- Â Chimera production
- Â Germline transmission support
- Â Breeding consultation
Cryopreservation, Storage & Rederivation Services
Secure long-term preservation of valuable mouse lines while reducing the need for continuous breeding and colony maintenance.
TGTF provides both sperm and embryo cryopreservation, allowing investigators to select the most appropriate preservation strategy for their mouse lines.
Services include:
- Sperm cryopreservation for efficient and cost-effective archiving of mouse lines
- Embryo cryopreservation for long-term preservation of valuable or unique mouse strains
- Post-thaw sperm quality assessment
- IVF-based functional validation of cryopreserved sperm
- Consultation on the most suitable cryopreservation strategy
Benefits:
- Reduce animal housing, breeding and colony maintenance costs
- Safeguard valuable lines against colony loss or breeding failure
- Preserve genetically engineered and unique mouse models for future use
TGTF provides secure long-term cryogenic storage of mouse sperm and embryos in liquid nitrogen, enabling valuable mouse lines to be maintained without continuous breeding.
Storage options include:
- Cryostorage of sperm and embryos generated by TGTF
- Flexible short- and long-term storage arrangements
Cryostorage provides a practical and cost-effective way to maintain valuable genetic resources while reducing the number of live breeding colonies.
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TGTF can recover mouse lines from cryopreserved sperm or embryos, allowing archived strains to be re-established when required.
We also support rederivation of mouse lines received from local or overseas institutions, including recovery from shipped embryos or sperm where appropriate.
Services include:
- IVF-based recovery from cryopreserved sperm
- Recovery from frozen embryos by embryo transfer
- Rederivation of mouse lines through embryo transfer
- Recovery of cryopreserved materials received from external institutions
- Coordination and consultation for shipment of sperm or embryos
These services enable investigators to restore archived mouse lines, transfer valuable models between institutions, and establish colonies within the required animal facility health status.
Genotyping & Colony Support Services
TGTF provides routine PCR-based genotyping for established and genetically modified mouse lines.
Services include:
- DNA extraction from ear-notch or tail-snipping samples
- PCR-based identification of wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous mice
- Genotyping of transgenic, knockout, knock-in and conditional mouse lines
- Primer design and PCR optimisation
- Development of customised genotyping assays
- Troubleshooting of existing genotyping assays
Managing genetically modified mouse colonies involves repetitive animal handling, sampling, genotyping and breeding decisions. TGTF provides practical colony support to reduce the routine workload on research laboratories and facilitate efficient maintenance of valuable mouse lines.
Services include:
- Ear notching and tail snipping for genotyping
- Sample collection and preparation
- Routine PCR genotyping
- Breeding support based on genotyping results
- Colony maintenance support for genetically modified mouse lines
Please contact us (Yu Shuizhou: csiyus[at]nus.edu.sg) for further information and price list.