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Genetically Engineered Models (GEMs) for Preclinical Research
Taconic Biosciences offers over 4,600 genetically engineered models (GEMs), including proprietary transgenic mice, knockout models, and curated repositories. Many live GEMs are available for immediate access under simple licensing terms. Cryopreserved models can be recovered and delivered in as little as 12 weeks, with a single purchase covering cryorecovery, delivery of four mutant animals, and perpetual use rights. Taconic makes it easy to accelerate discovery with trusted, high-quality GEM solutions.
Benefits of Taconic’s Genetically Engineered Models (GEMs) for Preclinical Research
Predictive, Translational Research - Taconic’s GEMs are designed to accurately model human disease biology, providing highly predictive insights that translate more effectively to clinical outcomes. By using models that better reflect human physiology and disease progression, researchers can reduce the risk of failure in later stages of drug development.
Customizable Solutions - Taconic offers both a broad portfolio of ready-to-use GEMs and fully customizable model generation services. Whether you need a rapid solution or a complex, targeted model, Taconic’s scientific team can design, create, and deliver a GEM tailored to your specific research objectives, saving valuable time and resources.
Accelerated Study Timelines - Through comprehensive colony management, breeding optimization, and preconditioning services, Taconic helps researchers streamline workflows and shorten study timelines. With scalable vivarium space and flexible delivery options, projects can move from concept to actionable data faster and more efficiently.
Scientific Partnership - When working with Taconic, researchers gain more than just a model—they gain a scientific partner. Our team of PhD-level experts provides ongoing guidance on model selection, experimental design, and troubleshooting, ensuring studies are optimized for success from start to finish.
High Quality and Compliance Standards - Taconic’s commitment to animal welfare, rigorous health standards, and regulatory compliance ensures the highest quality models for your research. Programs like Taconic AWARE™ further enhance animal care practices, helping researchers meet ethical standards while maintaining reproducibility and data integrity.
Let's Drive Discovery Forward, Together
Contact us today to start a conversation about your genetically engineered model needs.
- Live GEMs
- Cryopreserved GEMs
- Featured Models: NOG Portfolio
- Featured Model: rasH2 mice
- Featured Models: Transgenic HLA mice
Live GEMs
Taconic Transgenic Models (TTMs)
- Available off-the-shelf in typical study quantities with full use rights
- Sold under simple license terms with no license fees or signatures required
- Colonies are sized to provide typical cohorts with minimal lead time
- Widely used in ADMET, metabolic and cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, short-term carcinogenicity bioassays, immunology, and oncology studies
- All TTMs may be purchased directly by CROs for use in contract studies
Other live GEMs
Terms for other lines vary; see individual product pages. Some models are sponsored for distribution by third parties such as The Michael J. Fox Foundation or The ALS Association.
Cryopreserved GEMs
Taconic offers thousands of cryopreserved GEM lines accessed via simple Terms of Sale which grant perpetual use rights. A single purchase price provides cryorecovery and a deliverable of four* mutant animals at the Murine Pathogen Free™ health standard within 12 weeks. Taconic can work with you to quickly scale up to meet your study cohort needs and manage your colony.
Available cryopreserved models come from many sources, including two specific collections:
Knockout Repository
The Knockout Respository (KOR) collection consists of over 4,000 fully licensed knockout mouse models generated by Lexicon Genetics, Inc. via gene targeting and gene trapping. Most lines are on a mixed 129S5 x C57BL/6J-Tyrc-Brd background. Comprehensive Phenotypic Data Packages are available for purchase for Knockout Repository lines.
The GEM Collection
The Genetically Engineered Models (GEM) Collection offers access to several hundred proprietary GEM lines, generated by a pharma company, primarily on a C57BL/6 genetic background. The collection contains conditional and constitutive knockout (KO) mice, transgenic over-expressing lines, and conditional and constitutive targeted transgenic lines. These lines are available to non-profit researchers at a subsidized price.
* In rare cases involving models with recombinases or multiple genetic modifications, this deliverable may be reduced to 1-2 mice.
The Knockout Repository models utilize proprietary embryonic stem (ES) cells bearing a genetically engineered mutation. Mutant ES cells are obtained through two complementary, proven technologies: Gene Targeting and Gene Trapping.
Gene Targeting
Gene targeting by homologous recombination in mouse ES cells enables generation of highly specific alterations in targeted genes. It is a widely used and versatile method for the generation of knockout mouse lines.
Targeting vectors are constructed either via the aid of a phage murine 129/SvEv genomic library, or directly via long-range PCR methods. The final targeting vectors typically contain around 10 kilobases of overall sequence homology flanking the deleted region for the gene of interest. An ES cell positive selection cassette, usually containing a LacZ expression marker, is also used in combination with negative selection cassettes in the targeting vector backbones. These technologies, along with the power of using isogenic DNA, allow high average targeting frequencies. Gene targeting was used to generate approximately half of the existing knockout mouse lines available.
Gene Trapping
Gene trapping is a high throughput method of generating knockout mouse clones. It is a method of random mutagenesis by which the insertion of a DNA element into endogenous genes leads to transcriptional disruption. Unlike gene targeting by homologous recombination, a single gene trap vector can be used to mutate thousands of individual genes in mouse ES cells, as well as enable the rapid identification of the mutated genes.
The retroviral gene trap vectors contain a splice acceptor sequence followed by a promoter-less selectable marker. Insertion of the retroviral vector into an expressed gene leads to the splicing of the endogenous upstream exons into this cassette to generate a fusion transcript. The vectors also contain a promoter that is active in ES cells, followed by a first exon (such as that of the Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase gene, BTK) upstream of a splice donor signal. Splicing from this signal to the exons downstream of the insertion gives rise to a fusion transcript that can be used to generate a sequence tag of the trapped gene. The BTK gene also contains termination codons in all reading frames to prevent translation of downstream fusion transcripts.
The knockout models are designed to be null alleles. Due to compensatory genetic mechanisms, knockout status cannot be guaranteed and will have to be confirmed by the customer. Some validation data can be found in our phenotypic data packages.
Understanding the phenotype associated with a targeted or gene trapped mutation is essential for identifying and selecting drug targets or studying symptoms of human diseases. Taconic enables you to jumpstart your research by offering off-the-shelf phenotypic data packages for all of the Knockout Repository lines. These phenotypic data were collected at the time that the line was generated. Cohorts of animals were developed and tested in a comprehensive battery of assays that were fully validated with benchmark knockouts and/or drugs to confirm their reliability and reproducibility. Phenotypic assays are focused on six main disease areas:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Immune System Disorders
- Metabolic Disorders
- Neurological Disorders
- Ophthalmology
Q. What health standard is guaranteed for the mice delivered?
A. Murine Pathogen Free™ (MPF™). Mice at a more restrictive health standard may be delivered upon request and at additional cost.
Q. How many mice will the customer receive?
A. The customer will receive at least 4 mutant mice. In rare cases that the cryopreserved material also contains a recombinase gene, this may be reduced to 1-2 mutant mice.
Q. Can Taconic send cryopreserved materials such as sperm or embryos to the customer in lieu of live mice?
A. No. Cryopreserved materials are the property of Taconic or the Sponsor and may not be provided directly to customers.
Q. What happens if none of the mice sent are fertile?
A. Taconic cannot warranty individual mice for fertility. Mice are provided within the optimal breeding age range. Heterozygous mutants are less likely to have fertility problems compared to homozygous mice. Taconic recommends that customers consider doing at least one round of expansion by breeding the received heterozygous mice to wild type prior to intracrossing to homozygosity to reduce the chance of problems propagating the mice received. Taconic will discuss environmental and husbandry factors with the customer to determine whether there may be an external problem.
Q. What happens if the mice die in shipment?
A. Customers must inform Taconic in the event the mice die during transit or within 24 hours of receipt. Taconic will attempt to replace the shipment using mice available. Customers should unpack and inspect all shipments of mice immediately after arrival. Mice that arrive dead or in poor health should be reported within 3 days by the receiving institution. Taconic does not have control over housing and environmental conditions in recipient facilities and thus cannot be held responsible for mice that die more than 24 hours after receipt.
Q. If a customer wishes to perform a RapidEXPANSION™ package to expand a line, must they separately pay the cryorecovery package fee?
A. The price shown on the model page is due upon completion of cryorecovery. Any additional services such as a RapidEXPANSION™ are an additional service which will be billed in addition to the basic package.
Q. Can GEM Collection lines be crossbred or further modified?
A. The GEM Collection Terms of Sale permit breeding, crossbreeding and other further modifications of the model.
Q. What is the timeline to receive deliverables?
A. Once the appropriate agreement has been executed and the customer has provided a PO, the timeline is approximately 14-16 weeks until live mice are ready for shipment. Mice are provided at 6-12 weeks, which is the optimal breeding age.
Q. How long is the term of the agreement?
A. The GEM Collection Terms of Sale grant perpetual use rights to commercial customers. Any models previously distributed under an academic MTA are subject to term restrictions in that MTA.
Featured Models: NOG Portfolio
A unique portfolio with broad applications built upon the super immunodeficient CIEA NOG mouse®
The NOG mouse is a widely used and versatile super immunodeficient mouse which offers many advantages over standard nude and scid strains, particularly for engraftment of challenging cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, and immune system humanization.
The NOG mouse is the base of a flexible platform which includes a variety of next-generation models which have specific utility as well as several different types of humanized immune system (HIS) models.
Featured Model: the rasH2™ mouse
The rasH2™ mouse is a genetically modified model carrying a human HRAS transgene, making it highly susceptible to carcinogenesis. It enables faster, more reliable cancer risk assessment in preclinical research, reducing the time and cost of long-term studies. Regulatory agencies recognize rasH2™ mice as a key tool for evaluating the carcinogenic potential of new drugs.
The rasH2™ model enables you to perform short-term carcinogenicity testing of compounds on a much faster timeline, reducing the in-life portion of your study to 1/4 of a traditional two-year study. Developed by the Central Institute for Experimental Medicine (CIEM) and distributed by Taconic, rasH2™ is the only transgenic model widely used by drug developers and accepted by regulatory authorities. rasH2™ mice are sold with full research rights and are readily available in typical quantities for distribution globally - enabling you to begin using them in your research immediately.
Featured Models: Transgenic HLA mice
Taconic Biosciences offers an exclusive portfolio of transgenic rodents which express human HLA molecules.
Transgenic mice that express chimeric human HLA molecules represent a unique in vivo experimental model for evaluating human immune system function, and they are commonly used in vaccine and immuno-oncology research. The comprehensive Taconic Transgenic HLA model portfolio provides excellent coverage across HLA class I supertypes as well as an exclusive HLA class II supertype model, which are all available under simple use terms without license fees.
Why Use Genetically Engineered Mice for Your Research Studies?
Genetically engineered models (GEMs) play a critical role in advancing preclinical research at Taconic Biosciences. These mouse and rat models are designed to replicate human disease biology, enabling researchers to study gene function, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic responses in a controlled, in vivo setting.
Taconic's GEMs support a wide range of research areas—including oncology, neuroscience, and immunology—by delivering highly translational insights and reducing the time to discovery. With custom model generation, colony management, and PhD scientific support, Taconic provides the expertise and infrastructure to help researchers accelerate the development of targeted therapies.
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Frequently Asked Genetically Engineered Model Questions
Learn more about using genetically engineered models in your in vivo studies.
Genetically engineered mouse and rat models (GEMs) are laboratory animals whose DNA has been intentionally modified using techniques like CRISPR, transgenesis, or gene knockout. These models are critical tools for preclinical research, allowing scientists to study the genetic basis of diseases, evaluate drug efficacy, and explore biological functions in a controlled environment.
GEMs provide essential in vivo systems to replicate human disease mechanisms, offering insights that cell cultures and in vitro studies cannot achieve. By using genetically modified mice and rats, researchers can better predict therapeutic responses, study disease progression, and accelerate the development of new treatments in areas like oncology, neuroscience, immunology, and metabolic disorders.
Genetically engineered rodent models are created through advanced gene editing technologies. Scientists can insert, delete, or alter specific genes using methods such as CRISPR/Cas9, traditional transgenic techniques, or targeted gene knockouts. Depending on the research goal, models can be designed for conditional gene expression, humanized immune systems, or specific disease mutations, making them highly customizable for scientific studies.
Various genetic modifications are possible, including:
Knockout models, where a gene is completely disabled to study loss-of-function effects.
Knock-in models, where specific mutations or reporter genes are inserted into the genome.
Humanized models, where human genes or immune components are introduced to better mimic human biology.
Conditional models, where gene expression is controlled spatially or temporally using inducible systems.
Choosing the right GEM depends on several factors, including your target disease area, the genetic background required, and the specific biological pathways you want to investigate. Researchers should consider factors like model validation data, strain background, phenotypic characteristics, and licensing terms. Partnering with a specialized provider like Taconic Biosciences can also help ensure the optimal model selection to meet your experimental needs and accelerate research outcomes. Contact us now to drive your discovery forward.
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