What kind of cells is used to produce transgenic mice by gene-targeted mutations?

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Multiple Choice

What kind of cells is used to produce transgenic mice by gene-targeted mutations?

Explanation:
Embryonic stem cells are used because they are pluripotent and can be grown in culture while undergoing precise genetic modification. By targeting the genome in these cells (often via homologous recombination), researchers can introduce a specific mutation. The modified ES cells are then used to create chimeric animals by injecting them into early embryos; if the mutation makes it into the germline, it can be inherited by offspring, producing mice with the targeted mutation. Other cell types, like somatic or differentiated embryonic cells, don’t contribute to the germline and aren’t suitable for heritable genome modification, so they aren’t used for this purpose.

Embryonic stem cells are used because they are pluripotent and can be grown in culture while undergoing precise genetic modification. By targeting the genome in these cells (often via homologous recombination), researchers can introduce a specific mutation. The modified ES cells are then used to create chimeric animals by injecting them into early embryos; if the mutation makes it into the germline, it can be inherited by offspring, producing mice with the targeted mutation. Other cell types, like somatic or differentiated embryonic cells, don’t contribute to the germline and aren’t suitable for heritable genome modification, so they aren’t used for this purpose.

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