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Analytical Genomics and Transgenics Core (AGTC)-II

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Last Updated on September 16, 2013

Rheumatic Diseases Core Center
Robert A. Kesterson, Director; J. Edberg, D. Absher, Co-DirectorsAGTCspiral_figurev4

MISSION

The AGTC evolved to meet the needs of the RDCC research base as the pace and breadth of genetic technologies and resources has expanded.  Center members becoming increasingly dependent upon interactions and subsequent synergies with geneticists require outreach and education programs that can draw upon available technological resources located at both UAB and our partner institution, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (HAIB).  Our core facility has recruited Drs. Jeffrey Edberg and Devin Absher to meet this growing need.  These additions expand the consultative services offered by the core to help investigators refine hypotheses while working with Dr. Robert Kesterson and his staff to create the most appropriate mouse model(s) required.  Importantly, the Core’s aims are bipartite in nature with focus on both evaluation of human genetic data and mouse model production as the core provides services, outreach & education, and development to actively facilitate collaborations between RDCC and CAMAC investigators and the AGTC. 

Click here for a slide show about this core facility.
Click here for audio.

Services:

  • DNA microinjection (pronuclear)
  • Gene Targeting (with & without screening)
  • ES cell microinjection (blastocysts)
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Embryo cryopreservation
  • Assisted reproduction / rederivations
  • Consultation & training (IDEAs Program)
SERVICES


The AGTC core provides resources for ES cell expertise to create a fully functiona l mouse model, including guidance and assistance with gene targeting (target vector design, ES cell culture, electroporation, identification of targeted clones), microinjection, and reproductive services (includes cryopreservation, assisted reproduction; rescue of lines, etc).  To date, over 4000 mouse lines have been produced including approximately 75 germline-competent knockout models in the last 4 yrs.

MOUSER



Dr. Kesterson worked closely with the UAB CCTS to develop a web-based mouse resource (MOUSER) to provide UAB researchers an inventory of locally maintained or cryopreserved mouse strains.  MOUSER provides flexible data entry and search capabilities, as well as an infrastructure for long-term support.  Importantly, MOUSER allows the use of “common” terms to define strains, while also integrating Human Disease Ontology (OMIM), the Mammalian Phenotype Ontology, MGI gene and allele symbols and strain names, and the Adult Mouse Anatomical Dictionary (2011 AMIA Summit on Translational Bioinformatics).  The Director is also coordinating the recruitment of a comparative biologist to the CCTS to work with Dr. Kesterson on integrating existing resources for developing additional genetic model systems.

 

In collaboration with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, the Core team works with investigators to explore the array of vertebrate and invertebrate animal model systems that are available to optimally address scientific questions. In particular, this service has been pivotal as information gleaned from genetic association studies in clinical settings have predicated the need to understand fundamental mechanisms, which may inform disease diathesis and therapeutic development strategies. In this Human to Model (H2M) Systems resource, the Core provides consultation, project development, educational outreach and training for the research base.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

IDEA sessions
While providing resources via specialized instrumentation and expertise are critical functions of a research core, of even greater importance are the intellectual scientific interactions that take place between core personnel and RDCC & CAMAC investigators wherein there is an active exchange of information relating to the biological processes under study.  In addition to individual meetings, the AGTC offers more formal “brainstorming” sessions called Individualized Design of Experiments & Analyses Session (IDEAs).  On a bi-weekly basis, the Director and Co-Directors will meet with individual AGTC users and their staff to review research projects in detail by examining primary data and experimental designs, and provide advice on future courses of action.  Importantly, the IDEAs meetings provide investigators the opportunity to obtain feedback on a regular basis from 3 investigators highly experienced in human genomics and genetic animal model systems.

Events
Additionally, the AGTC frequently sponsors on-campus seminars, lectures and workshops describing ES cell/gene targeting methodologies and transgenic mouse development. 

 

 

FEE SCHEDULE

Current fee schedule

Please contact Dr. Kesterson or Larry Johnson for additional information

CONTACT

 

Bob Kesterson, PhD,    
Director  
Kaul Human Genetics Bldg, Room 602A  
Telephone: 205.934.7206  
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Larry Johnson,
Coordinator/Microinjectionist
Kaul Human Genetics Bldg., Room 605
Telephone: 205.934.2998 / 205.934.2999
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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