Transgenesis and cryopreservation laboratory

Linked to the animal facility, the transgenesis and cryopreservation laboratory produce and ensure the cryopreservation and revitalization of genetically modified mouse strains.

Activities:

• Production of mouse models by injecting into blastocysts genetically modified embryonic stem cells from international programs.
• Decontamination by embryo transfer of mouse models in order to eliminate undesirable pathogens and recover a SOPF status mandatory to welcome the animals into the animal facility.
• Cryopreservation of sperm for the preservation of mouse strains containing one or two genetic mutations.
• Cryopreservation of embryos for the preservation of mouse strains that have complex genotype and/or require the maintenance of the genetic background.
• Quality controls in vitro and in vivo of frozen lines.
• Revitalization of mouse strains from frozen embryos or from frozen sperm by in vitro fertilization (IVF).
• Storage and distribution of frozen straws.

Equipment:

• A laminar flow hood and a CO2 incubator for ES cell and embryo culture.
• An ES cell injection station composed of an inverted microscope coupled with 2 micromanipulators and 2 micro-pumps, 2 binocular loupes, one of which is equipped with a hot plate.
• A programmable freezer for embryo freezing.
• Various small equipments (glass micropipette stretcher and grinder, labeling and sealing machines for straws).
• A change hood and a rack of 80 individually ventilated cages.
• Two liquid nitrogen containers located into 2 independent sites for the straw storages.

The transgenesis and cryopreservation laboratory is member of the national network CELPHEDIA (WP3.2 Cryopreservation-Archiving group).