Project FAQs
Before Starting A New Animal Project
1) I need a new animal model. What should I do first?
The crucial first step when making a new animal model is determining which knockout or knockin strategy will best support your research plans. When you first contact ingenious one of our scientific consultants will work with you to evaluate different options for your new model.
2) Can my lab or my institute’s core facility perform part of the work?
Absolutely! We’ve worked many times in the past to incorporate our customers’ expertise into projects.
3) How long will my project take?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the model and the methods used to generate it. A new knockout mouse model can be generated in as little as 6-7 months. Read our “What Is The Mouse Knockout Timeline?” blog post to learn more.
4) How much will my project cost?
Click here to download our current price sheet for academic customers. If you’re conducting for-profit research please contact us for current prices. These costs reflect the level of effort and expertise required for each and every animal model project.
Note that no upfront payment is necessary. The first invoice will be sent after the project successfully passes its first milestone.
5) What will you deliver at the end of the project?
Our standard delivery is a minimum of two germline transmission F1 heterozygous mice. Whenever possible we deliver at least one male and one female.
6) What is your guarantee?
Most mouse projects we undertake are backed by our ironclad guarantee: we’ll do whatever it takes to deliver your model.
7) When do I get a targeting vector design?
Before the project is initiated we’ll work with you to develop an overall strategy for generating your new line. After your project is initiated one of our construct designers will carefully analyze the sequence of the target region and develop a detailed strategy that’s specific down to the single nucleotide level. This design will be provided to you for review, and cloning will begin when you approve the design.
During The Project
1) What is the first step in a new project?
Once you decide on the design of your model the project is ready to move forward. We keep paperwork to a minimum, all we need is a purchase order and your signature on the quote to initiate the project. You can read a summary of these steps here.
2) Where can I access my project documents?
You can access our client portal online and use your username and password to log in.
If you’ve forgotten your username and password, please contact your project manager or contact us at inquiry@genetargeting.com.
3) What should I think about before the project is complete?
While production is ongoing you should consider whether our standard delivery of two mice will be sufficient for your immediate research goals. You may decide that it’s better to receive additional mice or have sperm cryopreservation performed to safeguard your new line. These services can easily be added to your project if we can plan for them in advance – if you let us know early enough we can provide additional services close to the original timeline.
After Your Project Is Completed
1) Do you keep backup mice?
We’ll keep at least one backup founder or chimera mouse in our facility for a month after you receive your mice.
2) How can I obtain my project’s targeting vector and/or ES cells?
If a targeting vector or gene-targeted ES cells are created during your project you are the owner of the material. After delivery of your animals we’ll store ES cell clones in our facility for one year, and targeting vectors for five years. This material can be sent to you at any time for only the cost of shipping, or you can choose extended storage in our facility for a small fee.
3) Do you offer additional services after the model is created?
We offer a range of additional services including:
Cryopreservation (Sperm or embryos)
Custom Breeding (Generation of homozygous mice, deliver large cohorts, and regular ongoing delivery for experiments)
Tissue Harvesting And Genotyping
Your project manager can discuss these services with you at any stage of the project. If you’re able to add additional services at an early stage in your new project they can be smoothly integrated into the process and completed more quickly.
Miscellaneous
1) What is the difference between Somatic- and Germline-Neo-Deletion mice?
When embryonic stem (ES) cells are used in the creation of a new model, an antibiotic-resistance gene (“Neo”) is added to identify positive clones. Generally this gene should be removed before the mouse line is used in experiments. Most models from ingenious are made using our FLP ES cells, so the mice we deliver have the Neo deleted in 100% of the cells in the body, including the germline. In cases where our FLP ES cells can’t be used, a different method deletes the Neo in most but not all cells of the mouse, producing Somatic-Neo-Deletion mice. Offspring of those mice, where the deletion is passed through the germline, are Germline-Neo-Deletion mice.
2) What are the conditions of your animal facility?
The health of our mice is constantly monitored in our SPF (specific pathogen free) facility, located on Long Island in New York State.
3) Who owns animal models created by ingenious?
Clients retain full intellectual ownership of custom models created by ingenious with no restrictions on use or distribution.
