Transgenic Mouse is a word used to refer to a genetically modified mouse. The spelling of this word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is the "t" sound, followed by the "r" sound. The "a" in "trans" is pronounced with the short "æ" sound, while the "g" is pronounced with a soft "j" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /dʒ/. The next syllable "genic" is pronounced with a soft "j" sound as well. Finally, the word ends with the /maʊs/ sound.
A transgenic mouse is a genetically modified laboratory mouse that has been altered by inserting foreign genes or DNA sequences into its genome. This manipulation of the mouse's genetic material creates a transgenic mouse that carries one or more genes from another organism. The foreign genes are typically introduced into the mouse's embryos or embryonic stem cells, allowing them to be incorporated into the mouse's germline and passed down to subsequent generations.
The primary purpose of creating transgenic mice is to study the effects and functions of specific genes in a controlled laboratory environment. By introducing foreign genes into the mouse genome, researchers can investigate the role of these genes in various biological processes, development, disease progression, or drug response.
Transgenic mice have become indispensable models for studying human diseases and disorders because their genetic makeup can be manipulated to mimic genetic conditions found in humans. This enables scientists to uncover the role of specific genes in disease development, test potential therapeutic interventions, and gain a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying complex disorders.
Furthermore, transgenic mice can be engineered to express specific human genes, allowing the study of human-specific traits or diseases that are not present in other animals. This approach has facilitated profound advances in various fields including cancer research, neuroscience, immunology, and genetic engineering. Transgenic mouse models play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of genetics, disease etiology, and the development of novel treatments and therapies.
The word "transgenic" is a combination of two Greek roots: "trans", meaning "across" or "beyond", and "genic", relating to "genes" or "genetics". Therefore, "transgenic" can be understood as "beyond genetics" or "across genes".
The term "mouse" refers to the small mammal belonging to the rodent family. It comes from Middle English "mous" and Old English "mus", which have Germanic origins.
When combined, the phrase "transgenic mouse" refers to a genetically modified mouse. The word "transgenic" denotes the incorporation of genes from one organism into another, in this case, the mouse, resulting in altered characteristics or traits in the mouse's genetic makeup.