Murine genomes share great similarity with the human genome, making them fantastic research models for studying many genetic disorders. Compared with mice, rats have a higher degree of genetic homology with humans, and also share greater similarity to humans in terms of physiology, morphology, and subsequent drug metabolism. The larger size of rats and their organs also facilitates a greater degree of repeat sampling and ability to perform in vivo electrophysiology, neurosurgery, and neuroimaging procedures.
For research on diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and Parkinson's disease, rats are undoubtedly more ideal disease models. However, there are multiple obstacles when it comes to using rats in preclinical research, such as: low in-vitro fertilization (IVF) rates and high rate of malformed embryos in hypertrophic rat embryos, large variations in oocyte lineages and individual differences, thick nuclear membranes and plasma membranes that make injections difficult, as well as the huge expenses of maintaining a vivarium facility and research staff.
Cyagen utilizes CRISPR-Pro technology to achieve efficient editing of genes in rats, including gene knockout (KO), point mutation, conditional knockout (cKO), gene knock-in, and more complex projects. Get your customized gene editing projects for Sprague Dawley (SD) rats starting from as low as $18,999, with complimentary cryopreservation services included ($3,800 value) for the cryopreservation of corresponding heterozygous embryos—ensuring peace of mind for your project. Contact us at 800-921-8930 or email animal-service@cyagen.com for more information.
To begin the development process for custom gene editing models, we use AI gene target analysis tools to guide identification of the best target gene loci, greatly reducing the risk of off-target effects. Using CRISPR-Pro technology, we employ a unique method of fertilized egg treatment to significantly improve the efficiency of homologous recombination. In combination with breakthroughs in both ovulation induction and fertilized egg injection, we are able to quickly develop a wide variety of genetically edited rat models, such as gene knockout, point mutation, and knock-in at the ROSA26 locus.
Promotion details: Place an order before the end of the promotional period to get custom SD rat gene editing projects of the following types (KO, PM, KI, ROSA26 KI, cKO) for as low as $18,999 and receive complimentary cryopreservation services for a heterozygous embryo (valued at $3,800/line).
Promotion period: From now until December 31, 2023.
1. Cyagen offers gene knockout, point mutation, and gene knock-in/insertion services for both mouse
and rat models.
2. The prices and turnarounds mentioned in the above table are applicable only to the Sprague
Dawley (SD) rat strain background. For other strain backgrounds, such as Wistar, Long Evans,
F344, Brown Norway, etc., please inquire for the price/turnaround and receive the same discounts and
complimentary cryopreservation services.
Please click here to inquire.
3. Complimentary Cryopreservation services (valued at $3,800/line) will provide three (3) years of
cryostorage for a heterozygous embryo from the project. Additional cryostorage time may be purchased
for $200/line/year.
The use of in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is equivalent to mating male rats with a large number of females, facilitates quick breeding at a large scale in a manner that is highly useful for obtaining preclinical research cohorts. The IVF approach ensures consistent age among the offspring, reducing experimental errors caused by age differences. It allows researchers to obtain multiple genetically-similar rats of the same age within a short period, facilitating their cohort requirements for preclinical studies. Cyagen provides personalized breeding services, including customized cage arrangements, monitoring of rat activity and appearance, special feeding methods, foster nursing, and in vitro fertilization.
We also offer embryo cryopreservation services, which not only enables you to obtain cryopreserved animal resources within 4-6 weeks, but allows you to safeguard valuable research strains against loss caused by disease, breeding cessation or problems within your facility. Cyagen's embryo cryopreservation services not only protect your valuable strains, but also saves you long-term vivarium maintenance costs. In addition, we can offer end-to-end CRO services to assist in the entire process of model development and research applications as part of our growing preclinical phenotypic evaluation services platform.
Robust animal health monitoring system for rats and mice. We have combined the testing standards for Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) levels from the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) and Charles River in order to provide internationally-accessible, healthy animal models. We also send samples overseas to IDEXX for SPF testing according to COA standards, totaling 40 items (10 viruses, 19 bacteria, 11 parasites).
(A certificate of analysis (COA) is a formal laboratory-prepared document that details the results of (and sometimes the specifications and analytical methods for) one or more laboratory analyses, signed—manually or electronically—by an authorized representative of the entity conducting the analyses.)
Cyagen’s Colony Management System 2.0 (CCMS 2.0) breeding system, which combines the national standards for Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) levels from the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) and Charles River in order to provide internationally-accessible, healthy animal models. This system ensures comprehensive care for the health and quality of rats, including health monitoring, genetic control, personnel training, and personalized breeding.
Cyagen Model Animal Research Center has a total of 40,000 square meters of state-of-the-art animal facilities nationwide. We can breed over 150,000 cages of SPF-level rodents, meeting the breeding demands of clients worldwide.
With the support of a professional pathology laboratory and advanced experimental equipment, we can provide you with access to downstream drug efficacy service platforms. Cyagen offers a series of analytical experiments including physiological and biochemical analysis, histopathological analysis, metabolic analysis, gene and protein expression analysis, and cellular functional assays. This enables you to utilize phenotypic validation to find suitable drugs, evaluate their efficacy, and obtain accurate research conclusions.
| Service Category | Content |
|---|---|
| Physiological and biochemical analysis | Complete blood count (CBC) including differential leukocyte analysis with reticulocytes, coagulation profile, liver function tests, kidney function tests, blood glucose, blood lipids, cardiac enzymes, C-reactive protein (CRP), electrolyte levels, blood gas analysis, blood viscosity, tumor markers, antioxidant factors, immune factors. |
| Histopathological analysis | Tissue sample processing, fixation, dehydration, embedding, sectioning, HE staining, special staining. Additionally, detection of pathological markers, protein localization and expression analysis, cell proliferation and apoptosis analysis, and in situ gene expression analysis can be provided. |
| Metabolic analysis | Insulin tolerance test (ITT), glucose tolerance test (GTT), etc. |
| Gene and protein expression analysis | PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, OD quantification, ELISA, protein extraction and quantification, RNA extraction, Southern Blot, Western Blot, primer design and synthesis, etc. |
| Cellular functional assays | Transwell invasion, cell migration, flow cytometry analysis for cell cycle, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and other cellular functional assays can be conducted using the Transwell invasion, cell migration, and flow cytometry platforms. |
▶ Preclinical Ophthalmology Research Solutions
As a comprehensive contract research organization (CRO) service provider, Cyagen recognizes ophthalmic diseases as a breakthrough point for gene therapy and has established an ophthalmic gene therapy platform to support preclinical research. We have equipped the platform with state-of-the-art ophthalmic instruments for small animals and an experienced professional team. With 16 years of gene editing model construction experience, Cyagen can provide you with an array of standardized preclinical research solutions for ophthalmic gene therapy.
Additionally, Cyagen has developed a predictive AI model using deep learning to efficiently screen AAV mutants for multi-target gene therapy drugs in mouse, rat, and non-human primate (NHP) models. This AI-AAV platform enables us to achieve targeted predictions for various sites, such as tissue-specific targeting (e.g. brain, eye, etc.), full ocular expression capability, and ocular penetration.
▶ CRO Services for Immune Cell Therapy and Immuno-Oncology
Drawing on years of research experience in tumor immunology, Cyagen offers a full range of CRO services to support research and development of CAR-T/-NK and other cell therapies, including antibody development, CAR molecular design, CAR lentivirus preparation, immune cell preparation and phenotype testing, cell and animal model construction, and in vitro/in vivo efficacy evaluation.
As part of our ongoing development of CRO service capabilities for CGT research, Cyagen has accumulated a wealth of CAR vector libraries and stable cell banks, and these libraries are still growing. Our goal is to provide customers with fast and convenient off-the-shelf products and accelerate research progress.
| Service | Advantages | Model Generation Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
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CRISPR/Cas9-based and Rat
Generation Service |
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| Donor Strains |
Mouse: C57BL/6, FVB
Rat: SD, Wistar, Long Evans, F344 Please inquire for the availability of additional strains. |
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In recent years, investigating the precise pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from a perspective of gene regulation has been an active area of research for the fields of rheumatology and immunology. To clarify the role of the desuccinylase enzyme Sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) in regulating the development of RA, researchers supplemented adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats (developed by Cyagen) with the metabolic product of glucose, ethyl pyruvate. They found that joint swelling was significantly alleviated in AIA rats with SIRT5 gene knockout.
Reference: Zhang, N., Zhang, H., Law, B.Y.K. et al. Sirtuin 5 deficiency increases disease severity in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Cell Mol Immunol 17, 1190–1192 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-020-0380-4
Stress-induced neuroinflammation is an important mechanism underlying the development of depression. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive alternative therapy for treating depression. The anti-inflammatory signal of the vagus nerve is mediated by the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), which is highly expressed in the hippocampus, a region known for regulating emotions. Researchers utilized a rat model with α7nAChR gene knockout (developed by Cyagen) to investigate the role of α7nAChR on hippocampal glial cells in the antidepressant effects of taVNS.
Reference: Wang JY, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Wang Y, Li SY, Wang YF, Zhang ZX, Zhang J, Rong P*. Mechanisms underlying antidepressant effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on CUMS model rats based on hippocampal α7nAchR/NF-κB signal pathway. J Neuroinflammation. 2021 Dec 17;18(1):291. doi: 10.1186/s12974-021-02341-6. PMID: 34920740; PMCID: PMC8680337.
Hypertension has long been recognized as a risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, approximately 30% of patients with sporadic CSVD do not have a history of hypertension, and the nature of the disease plaques and their association with endothelial dysfunction remains unexplained. Researchers utilized a rat model, Atp11b KO (developed by Cyagen), which exhibits normal blood pressure. They further demonstrated that the loss of phospholipid flippase ATP11B leads to endothelial dysfunction and subsequently causes CSVD, even in the absence of hypertension.
Reference: Quick, S., Procter, T.V., Moss, J. et al. Loss of the heterogeneous expression of flippase ATP11B leads to cerebral small vessel disease in a normotensive rat model. Acta Neuropathol 144, 283–303 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-022-02441-4
