Mouse Models: Genetics, Breeding and Experimental Design

This course provides essential training in designing, undertaking
analysis and reporting experiments using mice. Participants will learn
how to ensure animals of the appropriate quality are generated through
the use of best practices in breeding and control of the animal
environment.

Mice now account for almost 70% of animals used in scientific research,
and the number of mice used continues to grow annually. Over the past few
years there has been an increased focus on the enhancing validity and
reproducibility of research outcomes. Preclinical research using animal
models appears to be particularly susceptible to this problem. The
reasons are many, and include the use of non-standardised strains and
housing conditions, poor experimental design, inappropriate data analysis
or inadequate reporting of experimental conditions in publications.

Applications are invited from research and scientific staff who
coordinate experimental work on genetically altered mouse lines,
including the maintenance of mouse colonies. Applicants should ideally
have degree-standard knowledge of genetics, or equivalent.

Learning outcomes
After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe common terms associated with mouse genetics.
• Recognise and be able to compare the most important differences between many of the common wild type strains, critically assess their influence on mouse phenotypes and use this information when selecting and manipulating genetic backgrounds for your studies.
• Plan breeding programmes that reduce genetic drift, retaining inbred or outbred nature of genetic lines and produce cohorts of experimental animals suitable for analysis.
• Plan and perform complex genetic crosses involving a variety of different alleles including deletions, floxed alleles and cre transgenes.
• Construct appropriate control strategies needed when using conditional transgenesis.
• Summarize and explain the methods by which CRISPR-Cas is used to generate mutant alleles and utilise web-based software to design and interpret newly generated mutant alleles.
• Anticipate and troubleshoot breeding and genotype issues that might arise when performing experiments using genetically altered mice.

The course will start at approximately 12:00
on Monday, 23 July and close
at approximately 14:00 on Friday, 27 July 2018.

Topics will include:

• •    Overview of mouse genetics & strains

• •    Gene & strain nomenclature

• •    Aspects of good colony management

• •    Breeding strategies for maintaining inbred, outbred and genetically altered lines

• •    Conditional and inducible transgenesis

• •    CRISPR/Cas9 and emerging technologies for generating GA colonies

•    Genotyping

This
is a residential course. All students are requested to stay onsite
for
the full duration to benefit fully from discussions and interactions
with the faculty and other students.

A draft
programme is available.

Scientific programme committee
James Bussell Wellcome Sanger Institute,
UK
Neil Dear University of Leicester, UK
Sara Wells MRC Harwell, UK

Keynote speakers
Ian Jackson University of Edinburgh, UK
George Vassiliou Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Confirmed tutors
James Bussell Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
Ben Davies University of Oxford, UK
Neil Dear University of Leicester, UK
Ed Ryder Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
Michelle Stewart MRC, UK
Aurelie Thomas Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
Sara Wells MRC Harwell,
UK

Event organiser
Sue Taylor Wellcome Genome Campus, UK

Fees

The fees include accommodation, meals and lectures for the duration of
the course. The fee will be requested once acceptance is confirmed.

Accommodation
This is a residential course. All participants will stay at The Wellcome
Genome Campus Conference Centre, Hinxton, Cambridge, for the nights of
23, 24, 25 and 26 July 2018.

If you wish to book onsite accommodation either side of the course dates,
please contact the Conference
Centre directly.

Applications
Application deadline: 1 May 2018

Places on this course are limited and will be awarded on merit.
Applicants should be PhD students currently engaged in relevant research
and have a working knowledge of genetics. All applicants will be required
to complete an online application form.
The selection process will take place in May 2018.

The following will need to be provided:

• Qualifications and justification for attendance
• Supervisor’s details: your supervisor will then receive an e-mail requesting a supporting statement to complete your application.

Please note: Applications cannot be considered without a
supervisor’s supporting statement.

Travel visas
Please contact the event organiser if you require a letter to support a
travel visa application. Note that letters will be provided to confirmed
attendees.

Non-European Economic Area or Swiss nationals may be required to have a
visa to enter the UK.
Early application is strongly advised, as this process can take 6-8 weeks
or longer.

Please visit the following websites for further information:
UK Border Agency website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/
Information for general visitors and business visitors:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/business/business-activities/

A limited number of registration bursaries are
available to attend this course (up to 50% of the
fee).

The following documents will need to be provided:

• CV
• A justification letter from applicant
• A supporting letter from supervisor stating financial need

To apply, please contact the event organiser.

Bursary deadline: 1 May 2018

Additional funding opportunities
Visit
our Funding webpage for additional funding opportunities currently
available.