Embryonic Stem Cells and Gene Manipulation in Rat

Abstract

Transgenic technology in rats is increasingly important for the design and implementation of biological and physiological studies in the fields of neuroscience, pharmacology, and toxicology. Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a useful tool for generation of gene-modified rats. During the last decade, not only foreign DNA introduction but also endogenous DNA modification has been successfully achieved with rat ESCs. Detailed protocols for establishment of bona fide rat ESCs and their use for production of gene-modified rats are described in this chapter.