tdTomato Knockin Mice
Since 1998, ingenious targeting laboratory has generated tdTomato knockin models for reporting gene expression visualization, cell tracking, and deep tissue imaging.
The tandem dimer Tomato protein offers superior brightness and photostability compared to monomeric red fluorescent proteins. Whether you need red fluorescence for multiplexed imaging with GFP, reduced autofluorescence interference, or enhanced signal for deep tissue applications, ingenious targeting laboratory designs tdTomato knockin alleles optimized for your imaging requirements.
Frequently asked questions
tdTomato is exceptionally bright (approximately 6 times brighter than EGFP), provides excellent photostability for extended imaging sessions, and has red emission spectrum (excitation 554 nm, emission 581 nm) that reduces autofluorescence and enables deeper tissue penetration. These properties make tdTomato ideal for low-expression detection and challenging imaging conditions.
Yes. Cre-dependent tdTomato reporters permanently label cells and their descendants following Cre activation. The bright signal enables tracking of lineage-marked cells through development, regeneration, or disease progression. tdTomato's stability makes it excellent for long-term lineage tracing studies.
tdTomato is inserted at the translational start site (ATG) or fused to the C-terminus of the target gene, typically replacing the stop codon. The tdTomato coding sequence is inserted in-frame to create a fusion protein. Alternatively, tdTomato can be inserted after an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) for bicistronic expression.
Yes. Conditional tdTomato knockins can use LoxP-flanked stop cassettes that prevent tdTomato expression until Cre-mediated recombination removes the stop. This enables tissue specific or temporal control of tdTomato expression when combined with appropriate Cre driver lines (tissue specific Cre or inducible CreER).
