Institute of Biomedical Technologies

Service for the Obtaining and Cryopreservation of Animal Models

SOMA is a service attached to the Institute of Biomedical Technologies (ITB) and the University of La Laguna (ULL), which is developed within the framework of the Agustín de Betancourt call, financed by the Tenerife Island Council, TF Innova, FDCAN and MEDI. The objective of this service is to provide researchers from the ITB, the ULL and any public or private organization, the opportunity to develop their own cell and animal models, that allow them to advance more efficiently in their research. Likewise, SOMA gives the opportunity to cryopreserve these models to ensure their maintenance over time.

Cloning

For gene editing experiments with insertions of specific sequences, a DNA repair template is required which, depending on its size, must be created by cloning, which can be requested from the service.

Obtaining a genetically modified cell line

This service includes all the steps necessary to establish a genetically modified cell line, from the transfection of the reagents to obtaining the clone with the desired modification, through obtaining different clones and their screening.

Pronuclear microinjection (coming soon)

Service to inject the content that the user needs into the pronucleus of a fertilized mouse oocyte by microinjection.

In vitro fertilization (coming soon)

The in vitro fertilization process is essential for the recovery or creation of a mouse model. Subsequently, fertilized embryos must be transferred to foster mothers, unless the objective is to study their development until the blastocyst stage.

Embryo transfer (coming soon)

The transfer of embryos to foster mothers is necessary, both when a new mouse model is being created, and when it is acquired commercially, if it is transported cryopreserved. In the latter case, the transport is easier than the alive animals, and also, it prevents the introduction of pathogens into the animal facility.

Mouse sperm cryopreservation (coming soon)

The freezing of mouse sperm in liquid nitrogen ensures the preservation of the animal models.

Mouse embryo cryopreservation (coming soon)

Also sperm, it is possible to freezing mouse embryos in liquid nitrogen to preserved animal models. 

Maintenance in liquid nitrogen (coming soon)

Once sperm and embryos have been cryopreserved, they must be kept at an adequate level of nitrogen for their correct maintenance.

Thawing mouse embryos (coming soon)

This service offers the possibility of thawing mouse embryos for their revitalization.

Mouse genotyping

When working with mouse models, it is necessary to genotype them, to confirm that they maintain the genetic modification that they initially carried. Genotyping is also necessary after a gene editing experiment.

  • Thermal cycler
  • Incubator-shaker for bacteria
  • CO2 incubator for cells
  • Transilluminator
  • Laminar flow cabinet
  • Centrifuges for 1.5 ml and 15 ml tubes
  • Thermal block
  • Nanodrop
  • Trans-blot turbo transfer system
  • Inverted microscope DMi1
  • Olympus X inverted microscope
  • Olympus IX71 stereo microscope
  • FemtoJet Microinjector
  • Narishinge Micromanipulators
  • CellTram vacuum system
  • Small Animal Anesthesia Equipment (Animal Facility)

Belinda Rivero Pérez

Service Public Institutions Enterprises
Consulting and design of gene editing experiments 40 € 50 €
Cloning 100 € 125 €
Obtaining a genetically modified cell line 1125 € 1250 €
Pronuclear microinjection 950 € 1020 €
In vitro fertilization with fresh sperm 100 € 130 €
In vitro fertilization with frozen sperm 150 € 220 €
Embryo transfer 220 € 300 €
Mouse sperm cryopreservation 80 € 100 €
Mouse embryo cryopreservation 30 € 60 €
Maintenance in liquid nitrogen 3 €/mouse/year 5 €/mouse/year
Thawing mouse embryos 18 € 25 €
Mouse genotyping 2 €/mouse 8 €/mouse

Belinda Rivero Pérez
briverop@ull.edu.es