Mouse models for human disease workshop

This workshop from MRC Harwell covers practical guidance on experimental design, model selection and breeding strategies for studies involving genetically altered (GA) mice. Intended for researchers, PhD students, technical staff and colony managers who are using – or planning to use – GA mouse models, there will be a particular focus on improving robustness and reproducibility to maximise the scientific value of these studies and reduce the number of animals involved.

Topics include:

• Experimental design, including appropriate experimental and control groups and the importance of genetic background.
• Model selection, including how strain choice can affect the interpretation and reproducibility of results.
• Breeding strategies that minimise animal numbers, including navigating complex breeding schemes and the use of multiple alleles.
• Conditional mouse models and the gene editing technologies that underpin them, such as Cre-Lox and alternative recombinase systems.
• Sourcing and importing GA mice from repositories and collaborators.

Participants are encouraged to bring examples from their own research, creating opportunities for discussion and collaborative problem-solving.