International Mammalian Genome Society

The 14th International Mouse Genome Conference (2000)

Table of Contents * Genes, Physical Mapping and Sequencing * Gene Identification * Bioinformatics * Common Resources * RIKEN Session * Functional Genomics * Complex Traits * Mutagenesis * Developmental Genetics and Differentiation * Verne Chapman Memorial Lecture I and II

I1. Functional Genomics in the Nervous System using BAC Transgenic Mice

Nathaniel Heintz

The anatomical complexity of the mammalian CNS presents special problems for the analysis of CNS gene expression and function. The most difficult challenge is presented by the simple fact that there are hundreds of functionally and morphologically defined cell types in the CNS. Given this complexity, the interpretation of CNS phenotypes is often problematic. The preparation of transgenic mice carrying marked bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) provides an important avenue for improving our understanding of CNS expressed genes and phenotypes. This approach can allow efficient analysis of patterns of gene expression, subcellular localization their encoded products, and neuronal projection patterns. BAC transgenic mice can also provide access to information relevant to gene function based on phenotypes arising from increased gene dosage or expression of activating and dominant negative alleles. This discussion will concentrate on these issues, and their relevance to the analysis of CNS expressed genes.