Mouse Assisted Reproductive Technology (MART)

Mouse Assisted Reproductive Technology (MART) Core is managed by the Animal Science Center’s Director, Dr. Rao Varada with extensive academic and Pharma expertise in developing mouse models of human disease. MART Core staff are experienced in collecting mouse sperm, harvesting unfertilized eggs, conducting in-vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation. In addition, to eliminate common mouse pathogens in the offspring born to mice of uncertain health status (example, mice coming from other facilities and countries), we perform cesarean section, embryo transfer, and in-vitro fertilization.

Mouse Strain Rederivation

  • Import Rederivation: Live Strain Rederivation using caesarean section and cross-fostering
  • Embryo Transfer (ET ): fresh embryos
  • Embryo Transfer (ET ): frozen embryos
  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): fresh sperm
  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): frozen sperm
 Sperm Cryopreservation

  • Sperm Recovery and Cryopreservation

Cryobank Repository Service
Import and Export of Frozen Sperm

  • MART core may facilitate the import & export of frozen sperm
 Genotyping

  • Tail Snips Recovery
Vasectomy Surgery

  • Creation of pseudopregnant recipient mothers
 Generation of Timed-Pregnant Mothers

  • Creation of foster mothers
Training

  • Mouse Aseptic and Survival Surgery
  • Embryo Culture
  • Embryo Microsurgery and Microinjection – Microinjection Workstation
  • Embryo Microsurgical Transfer – Infundibulum Embryo Transfer
  • Embryo Microsurgical Transfer – Uterine Embryo Transfer
  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
  • Creation of Micro-instruments for Embryo Culture, Microinjection, Embryo Transfer
  • Vasectomy Surgery
  • Hormone Priming
  • Estrus Selection
  • Generation of Genetically Engineered Animal Models using DNA, mRNA, ES Cells using Embryo Microinjection; Gene Editing with CRISPR or TALENs
  • Embryo Microsurgical Reconstitution: Developmental Fate Assessment
  • Graduate Student Practicum
  • Transgenic training modules may be added as required


All of the above procedures are conducted in our ABSL-2 laboratories to preserve the specific pathogen-free health status of our mouse colonies and breeding program.

Disclaimer:  Overall performance using the above reproductive technologies tends to be a function of genetic strain viability.

Please visit our website for more information on all of our services, or contact us for scientific help needed to pursue your project. Investigators may request service price through email John Mkandawire.

Location Core Services Specialist Core Director
BU Medical Center
700 Albany St., W707
Boston, MA 02118		 John Mkandawire
Tel: (617) 638-4086
Fax: (617) 638-4055		 Rao Varada, DVM, PhD, DACLAM