The word "Transgenic Mice" is spelled as /trænzˈdʒɛnɪk/ /ˈmaɪs/. The first part "transgenic" starts with a voiced alveolar nasal /dʒ/ sound followed by a voiceless alveolar affricate /tʃ/. The second part "mice" is pronounced as a monophthong /maɪs/ with a voiced alveolar fricative /z/ sound. Transgenic mice are genetically modified mice used in scientific research to study the function of genes and develop new treatments for human diseases.
Transgenic mice are genetically modified laboratory mice that have had foreign DNA introduced into their genome through artificial means. This process involves the insertion of a specific gene or genes from another species into the mouse's DNA. The foreign DNA is typically introduced into a mouse embryonic stem cell, which is then implanted into a developing mouse embryo. This allows the foreign DNA to be present in the DNA of all cells of the resulting transgenic mouse.
Transgenic mice are commonly used in biomedical research to study the function of specific genes and their impact on various biological processes, as well as to model and understand human diseases. By manipulating the mouse genome, scientists can investigate how certain genes are expressed and regulated, thus enhancing our knowledge of genetic mechanisms and their associated functions.
These modified mice can exhibit traits that are not naturally found in mice, allowing researchers to study the effects of the introduced gene(s) on the mouse's physiology, behavior, or development. By comparing the behavior and characteristics of the transgenic mice to non-transgenic "wild-type" mice, scientists can gain insights into the specific role of the introduced gene(s) and their potential contributions to disease processes.
Transgenic mice have become an indispensable tool in biomedical research, as they provide valuable insights into the complex interactions between genes and their impact on living organisms. The ability to manipulate their genetic makeup enables scientists to advance our understanding of biological processes and develop new treatments and therapies for human diseases.
The term "transgenic mice" is a combination of two words: transgenic and mice.
- Transgenic: The word "transgenic" is derived from the combination of "trans-" meaning "across" or "beyond" and "genic" meaning "relating to genes" or "genetic". So, transgenic refers to any organism that has had genes from another species inserted into its genome. In the context of "transgenic mice", it implies that the mice have been genetically modified by incorporating foreign genes.
- Mice: The term "mice" refers to the plural form of the word "mouse". It originates from the Old English word "mys" or "mus" and has been used to describe small, nocturnal, and typically rodent mammals of the family Muridae.