Considerations in Generating Transgenic Mice: DNA, RNA, and Protein Extractions from TissuesRapid an

The mouse provides a powerful system to produce and study models of human disease. The ability to introduce, inactivate, or modify genes in mice has significantly advanced our understanding of molecular and cellular disease processes. New tools and novel applications of the classic techniques now permit spacial and temporal restrictions to be applied to in vivo gene expression. In this chapter, the expansive methods used to generate transgenic mice will not be presented as there are several comprehensive books on the topic, including one in this series (1 ,2 ). In addition, the legislative requirements for working with animals will not be described here; suffice it to mention that transgenic animal production is a licensed procedure within the UK. Instead, considerations relating specifically to the application of transgenic techniques to studying Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diseases will be discussed.