Mouse Assisted Reproductive Technology (MART)

The 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 at jmmn@bu.edu.

Contact

Rao Varada, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
Core Director
(617) 358-8375│ pvarada@bu.edu

John Mkandawire
Core Services Specialist
(617) 638-5270│FAX (617) 358-8277 │jmmn@bu.edu

Location

BU Medical Center
700 Albany St., W707
Boston, MA 02118