Our standard set of STR markers works equally well for all mouse inbred strains of mice such as C57BL/6, 129, C3H, CBA, DBA, A/J, BALB/c etc. There are a large number of substrains of each inbred strain, which are available from different breeders and differ genetically from each other. The STR genotypes of the most commonly used inbred strains are already deposited with us for reference. This list is continuously expanded.

A separate STR genotyping set is also available for inbred strains of rat.

The mice Y chromosome of the father has a significant influence on the phenotype via epigenetic effects, also in female offspring (see Nelson et. al (2010), Case and Teuscher (2015) - a review), which may have a stronger effect than the actual gene of interest (GOI) of the scientific study. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the Y chromosome typical for the specific inbred strain is present. Our genotyping data indicate that it is not the case in about 40% of all genetically modified mouse lines!

• STR’s are polymorphic and, therefore, much more informative than SNP‘s. We can apply the one set of markers to differentiate between all mouse (or rat) strains and substrains with a large number of discriminating markers which allows us to carry out speed congenics projects or genetic background differentiation even between very closely related substrains.

• With an identical set of a limited number of STR markers (1 STR per chromosome), the genetic diversity of outbred strains can be described perfectly, the reduction of genetic diversity of a particular outbred strain over time/generations can be monitored and documented. Different outbred strains can be compared with each other

From our point of view, the "minimum variant" of genotyping three samples per mouse line is the lower limit to be able to estimate the real situation within a mouse line. As a typical result of the determination of BL6-specific mutations, for example, we regularly get within a line the findings consisting of wt/wt, wt/mut and mut/mut in one of the three samples each. Therefore, one should not rely on the finding of only one sample, because a single result can lead to a completely wrong conclusion.

Yes, we do. Markers include genotyping of Nnt, Crb1^rd8, Dock2 and Snca.

Any tissue sample, tail biopsy, earlip or other, will be fine. Readily extracted DNA (from commercial extraction kits, no “quick-and-dirty” extractions) works equally well. In this case, please send us half of the extract and keep the other half as a retainer.

Please send samples cooled, either on ice or, ideally, on dry ice, preferably at the beginning of the week to avoid samples going astray over the weekend.

Our Sample Supply Note can be used for identification and naming of samples.

We do not provide any packaging materials. We recommend to use simple 1.5ml Eppendorf style tubes.

Delivery to GVG can be made to the attention of Mrs. Schmidt (Tel. 0341- 392 859 21, GVG Genetic Monitoring GmbH, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig). You can use our DHL account (DHL Express #144005514) for shipping. We will invoice transportation cost together with our analytical service. Simply call your local DHL Express representative to have your samples picked up.