Lexicon Completes Installation of OmniBank® II at Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine
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The Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine has announced that the installation of the OmniBank II library of knockout mouse embryonic stem cell clones has been completed by Lexicon Genetics Incorporated.
The initial installation contains 90,000 clones, each representing an embryonic stem cell line in which a single gene has been disrupted, or knocked out.
Knockouts of 6,000 distinct genes are included in the initial library delivery and will be accessible to researchers worldwide.
The library is designed to contain multiple clones for each gene to ensure the successful creation of knockout mice.
The cell lines in the library have been generated in the C57BL/6 mouse genetic background and are engineered for the study of gene function, allowing researchers to study the involvement of specific genes in a wide variety of diseases and conditions.
When complete in early 2008, the OmniBank II library will house 350,000 mouse embryonic stem cell clones and is expected to cover between 65% and 70% of all mouse genes.
The first installation of the library was completed one month ahead of schedule and includes 20% more clones than originally anticipated. The next installation is expected to be completed in December 2006.
Through the Institute's agreement with Lexicon, researchers may also access specific cells from Lexicon's existing OmniBank library of 270,000 mouse embryonic stem cell lines in the 129SvEv genetic background.
The OmniBank II library will be delivered to Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine facilities in Houston at the Texas Medical Center and in College Station.
Construction of a new building in College Station to house one copy of the library is scheduled to begin with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 20, 2006.
"The speed at which the OmniBank II library of mouse embryonic stem cell clones is coming on-line is impressive," said Richard H. Finnell, Ph.D., executive director and president of the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine.
"Researchers can gain access to this valuable resource through the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine."
"We believe OmniBank II will facilitate the understanding of the function of genes, with strong positive implications for human and veterinary health."
Researchers interested in obtaining knockout mice generated from OmniBank and OmniBank II mouse embryonic stem cell clones should contact the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine online.
