Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Lexington, KY, has announced today that it has added 170 genetically modified rats and related biomaterials to its database of laboratory rats with a genetic modification that can mimic a human disease. These animals are used by academic, pharmaceutical, and biotech scientists for drug discovery and development research and will be sold under Transposagen's new TGEM(TM) Rat Models brand. A complete list of genetically modified and knockout rat models being offered by Transposagen is listed on their website – www.transposagenbio.com.
The new TGEM™ Rat Models include tumor suppressors, G protein-coupled receptors, and serotonin receptors. One showcase model is the Tumor Protein 53 (TP53) or p53 TGEM™ Rat Model. It is believed that more than 50 percent of human tumors contain a mutation or deletion of the TP53 gene. "A rat model lacking the function of this important gene will be a valuable tool for cancer biology and xenotransplantation studies," said Dr. Eric Ostertag, President and CEO of Transposagen.
Other new TGEM™ Rat Models include:
- Rag1 – recombination activating gene 1 – immunodeficiency model
- BCRP (aka Abcg2) - Breast cancer resistance protein 1
- Mc4r - melanocortin 4 receptor – Obesity Model
- Ccr4 - C-C chemokine receptor type 4
- Cxcr2 (aka IL8rb) - High affinity interleukin-8 receptor B or chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2
- IgE (aka Ighe) - Ig epsilon chain C region
- GPR - over 100 different G Protein-Coupled Receptors
"Major pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and academic researchers have not had access to rat models of these genes in the past," said Dr. Ostertag. "Our new TGEM™ Rat Model product line coupled with our existing TKO(TM) Knockout Rat Model line further supports our reputation of being the worldwide leader in genetically modified rats."
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