Genetic Testing Services >> Harlan Gencheck™ Speed Congenic Services

Animal models of disease are a critical component of most biomedical research programs. A major advantage for utilizing rodents in these paradigms is the ability to control most genetic contributions across generations. Traditional backcrossing can require three years. The Harlan GenCheck™ Speed Congenic program reduces the time by 50 percent (or more), yielding a congenic strain for your mutation in as little as five generations. The acceleration of transforming the genetic background of your animal model helps provide insight into the biology and genetic basis of disease, allowing for a productive research environment.

The Harlan GenCheck™ Speed Congenic program provides genetic testing services using a combination of both microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels for characterizing and selecting breeders in a wide variety of inbred mouse and rat strains used in the generation of congenic animals.

This program begins with a one-on-one consultation with a Harlan geneticist to identify the appropriate strain and breeding strategy to ensure proper colony maintenance and preservation of the genetic region(s) of interest. Once your program has been defined, you provide your biopsies to Harlan GenScreen™ using your own vessels or preregistered plates that will be provided to you. Harlan GenCheck™ Rapid DNA Isolation is performed in an automated fashion utilizing robotics and nucleic acid extraction chemistries.

Harlan offers an animal production component to the Harlan GenCheck™ Speed Congenic program. Colonies are maintained in flexible-film isolators to protect their health and genetic integrity. Tissue samples are analyzed through our Harlan GenScreen™ Genetic Testing Laboratory, and the appropriate breeders for future generations are selected through consultation with the client and a Harlan geneticist. Specific, customized breeding protocols are tailored to meet the client’s specific needs.

The mouse and rat microsatellite marker panels used in the Harlan GenCheck™ program are derived from numerous data resources. Depending on the specific strain desired for your project, more than 20 markers are utilized to study strain dependant polymorphic markers of identity. All markers have been optimized, validated and referenced against a large number of inbred strains. All PCR is performed using in an automated fashion to ensure accurate and efficient data generation. Following amplification, a state of the art Lab-on-a-Chip technology from Caliper (AMS90) is employed to detect and size all DNA products. This provides a sensitivity of +/- 2 base pairs on sizing the band of interest and also ensures that even the lowest copy number samples are detected. Finally, all data is analyzed and presented in a user friendly proprietary Harlan GenScreen™ database that is accessible through the World Wide Web using an independent and secure login for all Harlan GenCheck™ program participants. Data analysis for each project employs the use of novel algorithms that weigh within screen, across screen and reference database information to make accurate, reproducible and informed determinations leading to the best selection of breeders for subsequent matings.

Chromosomal regions that require a finer resolution will benefit from the informatics and technology utilized in our SNP profiling panel. A panel of over 500 SNPs is employed to cover all autosomes at approximately 15 centimorgan intervals, conveying a level of specificity needed for speed congenic applications. The Beckman SNPstream® high order 48-plex, single base extension technology is used exclusively for the Harlan GenCheck™ Speed Congenic program. Picogram amounts of DNA are used for each multiplex reaction, yielding a success rate of greater than 98 percent for all assays in predefined panels. All multiplex reactions are set up using sophisticated laboratory automation, allowing for the generation of over 500,000 SNPstream® genotypes daily which ensures that your project is completed in an efficient and timely manner. All data is provided in a user friendly proprietary Harlan GenScreen™ database that is accessible through the World Wide Web, using an independent and secure login for all Harlan GenScreen™ program participants. A variety of statistical and graphical interfaces allow for the interpretation of strain dependant genetic contributions of each animal tested, and the subsequent selection of breeders to be used in the next round of breeding.

Traditional backcrossing requires a minimum of 10 generations, requires up to three years to complete, and uses five times the number of animals. However, the Harlan GenCheck™ Speed Congenic program requires a maximum of five generations, and uses approximately four breeders per generation.

The Harlan GenCheck™ Speed Congenic program is essential for accelerating the discovery process in animal models that call for specific genetic predisposition. The time and money saved over traditional backcrossing breeding strategies will provide the competitive edge needed to distinguish your research.

For additional information, please contact us at 1-800-473-6423.