Page 37 - Gates-AnnualReport-2017

3 BIOENGINEERING CORE
The generation of genetically modified animals is a powerful tool for understanding the role of genes and gene mutations in normal tissue and organ development, as well as in diseases. The Bioengineering Core provides pronuclear injections and embryo-electroporations to produce transgenic mice. We are also providing our customers with the option to generate mice via CRISPR/CAS-mediated genome editing. In addition, we conduct gene-targeting experiments in mouse embryonic stem cells, which enables us to generate mouse lines with custom-designed genes. Additional services include cryo-preservation of embryos and embryo re-derivation.
With the advent of induced iPSC technology, researchers can now reprogram adult tissue-derived cells into stem cells that can differentiate into any type of cell in the adult body. This approach has tremendous potential, not only for designing new therapies, but also for the understanding of complex human diseases. The Bioengineering Core generates iPSC from various species used in biomedical research (e.g., human, mouse, dog, horse) and conducts genome editing experiments in these cells using the CRISPR/CAS system. This approach enables researchers to specifically change gene sequences in these cells (e.g., create or eliminate disease-causing mutations).
In 2017, the Bioengineering Core supported the research projects of 69 investigators. Our services included the generation of 25 genetically engineered mouse lines, the cryo-preservation of 26 mouse lines, and 87 stem cell- related services (e.g., gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells, iPSC generation, iPSC differentiation into defined cell types and gene editing in iPSC).
The Bioengineering Core serves investigators from the Anschutz Medical Campus as well as investigators from other universities and institutions in the United States and abroad (e.g. UC Boulder, University of Wyoming, Colorado State University and the University of Australia).
Financial support of our facility is provided by grant funding from the NIH (SDRC, CCTSI), funding from the CU School of Medicine (dean’s funding) to Dr. Peter J Koch and user fees. The Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine has provided space and equipment for our stem cell operations.
120
100
80
60
40
20 0
New Mouse Lines Cryopreserved Mouse Lines Stem Cell Related Services Investigators Served
BIOENGINEERING CORE USE
2011 2012
2013 2014 2015
2016 2017
Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine 37