1. mice, knockout Strains of mice in which certain GENES of their GENOMES have been disrupted, or "knocked-out". To produce knockouts, usingRECOMBINANT DNA technology, the normal DNA sequence of the genebeing studied is altered to prevent synthesis of a normalgeneproduct. Cloned cells in which this DNA alteration is successful are then injected into mouse EMBRYOS to produce chimeric mice. The chimeric mice are then bred to yield a strain in which all the cells of the mouse contain the disrupted gene. Knockout mice are used as EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODELS for diseases (DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL) and to clarify the functions of the genes.
Definitions of mice, knockout
