Mouse Model Strategies & Allele Types

Hypomorphic / Null Allele

Hypomorphic alleles partially reduce gene function, and null alleles abolish it entirely. Both are critical tools in mouse model research for studying gene dosage and loss-of-function effects.

Overview

Hypomorphic alleles partially reduce gene function, and null alleles abolish it entirely. Understanding whether an allele is hypomorphic or null helps determine how much gene activity is required for normal biological function and can clarify the mechanistic basis of disease phenotypes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When would you use a hypomorphic allele instead of a null?

Hypomorphic alleles are valuable when full knockout leads to embryonic lethality or severe developmental defects, allowing investigation of partial loss-of-function states similar to human recessive diseases.

Related Services

Knockout Mouse Models Conditional Knockout Mouse Models

Related Terms

Knockout (KO) Mouse Models

A genetically engineered mouse in which a specific gene has been permanently inactivated ('knocked out') to study its biological function, role in disease, and potential as a therapeutic target.

Gain-of-Function vs. Loss-of-Function Mutations

A gain-of-function mutation increases or creates a new activity for a gene or protein, while a loss-of-function mutation reduces or abolishes normal function. Both mutation types play central roles in disease biology and are critical tools in genetic research.

Conditional Knockout (cKO) Mouse Models

A genetically engineered mouse in which a specific gene can be selectively inactivated in chosen tissues, cell types, or developmental stages—enabling precise studies of gene function while avoiding embryonic lethality or systemic effects.

More in Mouse Model Strategies & Allele Types

Knockout (KO) Mouse Models Conditional Knockout (cKO) Mouse Models Conventional (Constitutive) Knockout Mouse Models Knockin (KI) Mouse Models Humanized Mouse Models

Humanized Mouse Models View All Terms Inducible Allele (Cre-ER Systems)

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