The Transgenic Animal Unit (Unitat d’Animals Transgènics, UAT) of the Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) was created in 2003. It is a state-of-the-art facility that provides research and technical services for the generation, management, and preservation of genetically modified mouse and rat models, to support research projects of both, internal and external investigators.
UAT offers tailored services for the generation of transgenic mouse and rat models by pronuclear DNA microinjection and knockout and knockin mice and rat models (KO/KI) by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells (ESC) plus injection of blastocysts or using CRISPR/Cas9 system. Recombinant ESC can either be obtained at the Unit or imported from external sources. Advise in the design of transgenes, CRISPR/Cas9 system and gene targeting vectors is also provided.
Other support services offered for mouse and rat colonies management are: rederivation by embryo transfer, cryopreservation of embryos/sperm/ovary and recovery of live models from frozen embryos/sperm/ovary.
UAT has a highly specialized and motivated team with more than 25 years of experience. Moreover, it includes several laboratories equipped with all the necessary infrastructure and instrumentation for embryo harvesting/manipulation, embryo microinjection, microsurgery, embryo transfer, molecular biology, cryopreservation and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Mice are maintained in the CBATEG Animal Facility that guaranties SPF conditions (Specific Pathogen Free), under FELASA (Federation for Laboratory Animal Science Associations) recommendations.
