Two international teams of researchers have been selected by the NIH for a $50 million project to develop knockout mice that can be used to study the role genes play in human health. Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland is leading one team that will explore the workings of 10,000 mouse genes. Researchers will study the way the genes work and document the role they play in health, including any role in spurring disease. Since human and mice genes are similar, it is hoped that by inactivating mouse genes, one-by-one, the altered mice will yield clues about the function of human genes and their similar roles in human diseases.
"The process is a long one, but the rewards are immeasurable," said Pieter de Jong, Ph.D., Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute scientist. "We're at the forefront of understanding the pathology of human genes. By knocking out each gene one-by-one, we will be able to create a central resource for researchers and scientists to use and study."
- see the release on the study