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BAC Transgenics & ROSA26

Transgenic Mouse Models

Since 1998, ingenious targeting laboratory has completed over 2,500 custom gene targeting projects for researchers at universities, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions worldwide. Our mouse models have supported research published in more than 800 peer reviewed articles including in Science, Nature, and Cell.

Transgenic mouse models introduce exogenous DNA sequences into the mouse genome for overexpression studies, tissue specific Cre driver generation, reporter line creation, and other applications requiring expression of non native sequences. Unlike knockin models that modify endogenous loci, transgenic approaches add new genetic elements either through random integration or targeted insertion at safe harbor loci.

2,500+
Projects Completed
800+
Publications
26+
Years Experience
100%
Success Rate

ingenious targeting laboratory offers targeted transgenic approaches using ROSA26 and other safe harbor loci, providing options matched to your experimental requirements.

Transgenic Approaches

Conventional Transgenesis

Conventional transgenic mice are generated by pronuclear injection of DNA constructs into fertilized oocytes. The transgene integrates randomly into the genome, typically as a multi copy array. This approach is rapid and cost effective for applications where precise copy number and integration site are not critical.

Commonly used for overexpression studies, generation of multiple founder lines for comparison, and applications where high expression levels are desired.

BAC Transgenesis

BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) transgenic mice carry large genomic fragments up to 200 kb, including the gene of interest with its native regulatory elements. BAC transgenics often show more physiological expression patterns than conventional transgenics because distant enhancers and regulatory regions are preserved.

Particularly valuable for generating Cre driver lines where accurate tissue specific expression is essential.

ROSA26 Targeted Transgenics

ROSA26 targeted transgenics insert transgene constructs at the ROSA26 safe harbor locus. This approach provides single copy integration at a defined genomic location with predictable expression characteristics.

Eliminates the positional effects common with random integration and ensures consistent expression across breeding generations.

Learn more about ROSA26

Other Safe Harbor Loci

In addition to ROSA26, transgenes can be targeted to other safe harbor loci including HPRT and H11. Each locus offers distinct expression characteristics and can be selected based on desired expression levels and tissue distribution.

Applications

Cre Driver Lines

Transgenic Cre driver lines express Cre recombinase under tissue specific promoters, enabling conditional gene manipulation when crossed to floxed alleles. At Ingenious, Cre drivers can be targeted to the ROSA26 locus or to an endogenous gene of interest.

Learn more

Reporter Lines

Transgenic reporter lines express visualization markers under constitutive or tissue specific promoters. Common reporters include fluorescent proteins for live imaging, luciferase for bioluminescence studies, and LacZ for histological analysis. ROSA26 targeted reporters provide consistent expression and can be designed as Cre dependent systems for lineage tracing applications.

Inducible Expression Systems

Transgenic mice carrying inducible expression systems allow controlled activation of transgene expression.

Tet On / Tet Off:Doxycycline regulated expression
CreERT2:Tamoxifen inducible Cre expression
Cre dependent:Expression activated by Cre mediated removal of stop cassette
Learn more

Inducible transgenics enable temporal control over gene expression for studying acute effects and adult onset phenotypes.

Technical Considerations

Targeted Integration Advantages

ROSA26 and other targeted approaches provide:

Single copy integration at defined locus
Predictable expression characteristics
No founder to founder variation
Stable expression across generations
No risk of insertional mutagenesis

Selected Publications

Rosa26 models generated by ingenious targeting laboratory:

Serrano J, Boyd J, Brown IS, Mason C, Smith KR, Karolyi K, Maurya SK, Meshram NN, Serna V, Link GM, Gardell SJ, Kyriazis GA. (2024).

The TAS1R2 G-protein-coupled receptor is an ambient glucose sensor in skeletal muscle that regulates NAD homeostasis and mitochondrial capacity

Nat Commun 15(1): 4915

What Researchers Say

We are very happy with this mouse line and we're not done yet. There's still plenty to do. The versatility of the F.A.S.T.™ approach is really unparalleled. There are so many possibilities to use the cassette that one paper does not showcase it all. Also, the addition of N-terminal GFP has helped quite a bit to understand gene expression patterns.

Frank Bosmans, PhD

Ghent University, Belgium

Start Your Transgenic Project

Our scientific consultants are ready to discuss your research requirements and optimal targeted transgenic approach for your experimental goals. Initial consultation is provided at no charge and includes construct design review, approach recommendations, timeline, and price estimate.

✦ New for 2026

Breeding Scheme Architect

Plan complex single allele breeding strategies, calculate expected genotype ratios, and estimate time to experimental cohorts—all before starting your project.

Visualize breeding paths
Calculate Mendelian ratios automatically
Estimate timeline to study ready cohorts

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Allele 1Gene-flox (conditional)
Allele 2Cre-driver (tissue-specific)
TargetHomozygous knockout

→ 3 generations to target genotype

Lab Signals

Transgenic Design Insights

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Frequently Asked Questions

Transgenic models introduce exogenous DNA sequences through random integration (pronuclear injection) or targeted insertion at safe-harbor loci (ROSA26). Knockin models modify endogenous gene loci through homologous recombination. Transgenics add new genetic elements; knockins modify existing genes at their native locations.

Use conventional transgenesis for rapid generation, multiple founder lines for comparison, or when high expression levels are desired. Use ROSA26 targeting for single-copy integration at a defined location, predictable expression patterns, or when position effects must be avoided. ROSA26 provides more consistent expression across generations.

BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) transgenesis uses large genomic fragments (100-200 kb) including the gene of interest with native regulatory elements. BAC transgenics show more physiological expression patterns than conventional transgenics because distant enhancers and regulatory regions are preserved. BAC transgenesis is particularly valuable for generating Cre driver lines.

Yes. Transgenic models can incorporate conditional expression cassettes including LoxP-stop-LoxP for Cre-dependent expression, TRE-driven systems for doxycycline control, or other inducible systems. ROSA26-targeted transgenics are commonly used for conditional reporter or Cre expression.