There is an increasing need for more efficient generation of transgenic constructs. Here we present a universal multi-site Gateway vector for use in recombineering reactions. Using transgenic mouse models, we show its use for the generation of BAC transgenics and targeting vectors. The modular nature of the vector allows for rapid modification of constructs to generate different versions of the...

Transgenic sorghum featuring RNAi suppression of certain kafirins was developed recently, to address the problem of poor protein digestibility in the grain. However, it was not firmly established if other important quality parameters were adversely affected by this genetic intervention. In the present study several quality parameters were investigated by surveying several important physical and...

Rapidly progressing development of optogenetic tools, particularly genetically encoded optical indicators, enables monitoring activities of neuronal circuits of identified cell populations in longitudinal in vivo studies. Recently developed advanced transgenic approaches achieve high levels of indicator expression. However, targeting non-sparse cell populations leads to dense expression pattern...

Recent studies have challenged the long held concept that each T lymphocyte expresses on its surface only a single, unique alphabetaTCR. Dual TCR+ T cells have been recognized, however, their origin and potential to escape screening for self-reactivity remain obscure. We now report the thymic generation of dual alphabetaTCR+ T cells in the H-2Db/H-Y-specific TCR transgenic (Tg) mouse. Dual TCR+...

During an immune response a small number of rare Ag-specific clones proliferate extensively and decline, leaving a residual population for long-term memory. TCR transgenic (tg) CD4 T cells have been used widely to study the primary and memory response in vivo. We show here that naive TCR tg CD4 T cells from the DO11.10 strain transferred into wild type (wt) BALB/c recipients and not stimulated ...

Background The studies on nesting behavior in AD transgenic mice are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to systematically observe nesting behavior of APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice and their littermate wild-type mice. Methods We chose three age-groups (2-3months,6-8months,10-12months) of male APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic (Tg) and littermate wild-type (WT) mice to observe their nest-build...

Although the roles of CD8+ T cells and a major preerythrocytic antigen, the circumsporozoite (CS) protein, in contributing protective antimalaria immunity induced by radiation-attenuated sporozoites, have been shown by a number of studies, the extent to which these players contribute to antimalaria immunity is still unknown. To address this question, we have generated C57BL/6 (B6) transgenic (T...

Synapses are lost during developmental synapse elimination. Until now, it has been impossible to follow elimination in the entirety of any neuron's branches and synapses. Using transgenic mice in which one or two of a muscle's motoneurons express variants of GFP, Keller-Peck et al. show in this issue of Neuron that elimination occurs asynchronously by local competitive interactions at each syna...

Luncheon Nils Odendaal, CEO, NamibRand Nature Reserve, southern Namibia e NamibRand Nature Reserve is one of Africa's largest privately owned conservation areas and its story is one of hardship redirected into a shining example for the world. A er droughts in the 1980s, ranches in this arid landscape were failing. NamibRand founder Albi Bruckner started buying contiguous farms and created a con...