institute of developmental genetics (idg)

Large-scale Mutagenesis

The molecular genetics dissection of disease are complex and require multi-faceted approaches. For this reason, large-scale genetic projects in the IDG are divided into three areas: gene-targeting in ES cells, gene-trapping in ES cells, and ENU mutagenesis in mice. Historically, the IDG has further developed and implemented large-scale gene trapping technologies in the framework of the German Gene Trap Consortium (GGTC). Gene trap mutagenesis was the stepping stone for large scale mutagenesis in Europe (European Conditional Mouse Mutagenesis Consortium (EUCOMM). In EUCOMM originally large-scale conditional gene trapping and conditional gene targeting have been performed. When efficient large-scale gene targeting technologies were in place we focused on gene targeting only. To utilize the conditional EUCOMM alleles we are currently establishing 250 Cre-driver strains expressing inducible Cre-recombinase in all cell-types of the body in the framework of the EUCOMMTOOLS program. Based on the EUCOMM technology platform we carry out high-throughput protein-tagging using fluorescent tags to identify protein binding partners of disease-related proteins (DiGtoP; From Disease Genes to Protein Pathways). This analysis will allow us to identify novel disease-associated proteins which might represent potential novel drug targets. Within the NGFN-funded DiGtoP program, EGFP-tagging of up to 400 disease genes in ES cells and mice will be established. Additional large-scale mutagenesis projects include ENU mutagenesis screens to uncover genes important for eye development and disease (collaboration with IEG), and the German Gene Trap Consortium. Distribution of EUCOMM relevant material is accomplished through EuMMCR.