The dynamic development of transgenic technologies in recent years allows the study of functions of individual genes not only in the context of different cell types but also in the highly complex environment of whole organisms. The mouse is a classical mammalian model whose study has defined entire disciplines such as immunology, developmental and tumor biology, or stem cell biology. At present, laboratory mouse is the primary model in biological and biomedical research. The lecture provides a basic overview of transgenic models and their application in research. The principles of Mendelian genetics, epigenetics, gametogenesis and basic procedures for the preparation of transgenic models are explained in detail. The main attention is paid to the use of transgenic mice for modeling human diseases and their phenotyping, leading to the unravelling of the pathophysiological background of the disease. The ethical and legal aspects of research on transgenic models are also mentioned.
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (24.03.2019)
The dynamic development of transgenic technologies in recent years allows the study of functions of individual genes not only in the context of different cell types but also in the highly complex environment of whole organisms. The mouse is a classical mammalian model
whose study has defined entire disciplines such as immunology, developmental and tumor biology, or stem cell biology. At present, laboratory mouse is the primary model in biological and biomedical research. The lecture provides a basic overview of transgenic models
and their application in research. The principles of Mendelian genetics, epigenetics, gametogenesis and basic procedures for the preparation of transgenic models are explained in detail. The main attention is paid to the use of transgenic mice for modeling human
diseases and their phenotyping, leading to the unravelling of thepathophysiological background of the disease. The ethical and legal aspects of research on transgenic models are also mentioned.
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (24.03.2019)
Literature -
Houdebine L.M.: Transgenic Animals (CRC Press, 1997) Pinkert C.A.: Transgenic Animal Technology (Academic Press, 2003) Vagner E.F., Theuring F.: Transgenic Animals as Model Systems for Human Diseases (Springer-Verlag, 2012)
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (28.03.2019)
Houdebine L.M.: Transgenic Animals (CRC Press, 1997) C.A.: Transgenic Animal Technology (Academic Press, 2003) Vagner E.F., Theuring F.: Transgenic Animals as Model Systems for Human Diseases (Springer-Verlag, 2012)
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (28.03.2019)
Requirements to the exam -
Oral examination
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (24.03.2019)
Předmět je zakončen ústní zkouškou.
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (25.03.2019)
Syllabus -
1. Introduction to Transgenesis - Basic principles and strategies, transgenic organisms 2. Molecular genetics - Definition of gene function, mouse genetics and genetic mapping 3. Epigenetics. Imprinting and inactivation of chromosome X 4. Gametogenesis, fertilization, human and mouse stem cells 5. Transgenesis I. BAC transgenesis. Binary transgenic systems. Conditional targeting and homologous recombination. Recombination systems 6. Transgenesis II. Design of vectors for transgenesis. Electroporation and selection. Preparation of chimeras / transfer to germinal lines 7. Reporter mice and lineage tracing 8. Principles of mouse phenotyping. Pivotal mouse models and phenotypes 9. Modeling Human Diseases I. Muscular system 10. Modeling Human Diseases II. Gastrointestinal system 11. Modeling Human Diseases III. Nervous system, neurodegenerative diseases 12. Modeling Human Diseases IV. Cancer 13. The CCP phenotypic platform. Ethical and legal aspects of animal model-based research
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (24.03.2019)
1. Introduction to Transgenesis - Basic principles and strategies, transgenic organisms
2. Molecular genetics - Definition of gene function, mouse genetics and genetic mapping
3. Epigenetics. Imprinting and inactivation of chromosome X
4. Gametogenesis, fertilization, human and mouse stem cells
5. Transgenesis I. BAC transgenesis. Binary transgenic systems. Conditional targeting and homologous recombination. Recombination systems
6. Transgenesis II. Design of vectors for transgenesis. Electroporation and selection. Preparation of chimeras / transfer to germinal lines
7. Reporter mice and lineage tracing
8. Principles of mouse phenotyping. Pivotal mouse models and phenotypes
9. Modeling Human Diseases I. Muscular system
10. Modeling Human Diseases II. Gastrointestinal system
11. Modeling Human Diseases III. Nervous system, neurodegenerative diseases
12. Modeling Human Diseases IV. Cancer
13. The CCP phenotypic platform. Ethical and legal aspects of animal model-based research
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (25.03.2019)
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course Transgenic Models in Physiology, students will acquire comprehensive knowledge of the principles underlying genetic modification of animal models and their application in modern biomedical research. They will be able to explain key concepts and mechanisms of molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, and epigenetics, including genomic imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation, and place them in the context of organismal development and phenotypic manifestation. Students will be able to explain the biological processes of gametogenesis and fertilization and justify their relevance to the generation and transmission of genetic modifications in mouse models. Graduates of the course will be able to describe and explain the main strategies used to generate transgenic mice, including classical transgenesis, BAC transgenesis, homologous recombination, and the use of recombinase-based and binary transgenic systems. They will be able to apply this knowledge when selecting and justifying an appropriate genetic modification strategy to address specific biological questions, particularly in the study of gene function in defined tissues or cell types. Students will be able to interpret fundamental principles of transgenic animal phenotyping and analyze the relationship between genetic manipulation and the resulting phenotype at the cellular, tissue, and organismal levels. Furthermore, students will be able to critically assess and justify the suitability of individual animal models for modeling human diseases, with particular emphasis on muscular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and cancer-related disorders. They will be capable of evaluating experimental data, identifying methodological and biological limitations of the applied models, and formulating evidence-based conclusions regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms of the studied diseases. Students will also be able to explain and reflect on the ethical and legal aspects of research involving genetically modified animals. At the highest cognitive level, students will be able to independently propose a basic experimental strategy employing transgenic animal models, formulate a research hypothesis, and clearly present and justify the proposed approach, including expected outcomes and their significance for biomedical research.
Last update: Horníková Daniela, RNDr., Ph.D. (15.01.2026)
