CENTER FOR GENETIC ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR

Our research subjects include the reproductive biotechnology to understand gamete interactions during fertilization and the development of novel methodology to produce transgenic animals. Among them, we have a special interest in the increasing demand for production of gene-targeted (KO: knock-out) rats because use of rats rather than mice is advantageous in aspects of microsurgery and mapping of brain functions. Embryonic stem cell line and nuclear transfer (cloning) protocol have not yet been established in rats, attributing to slow progress of brain research. At present, we devote all our skills (e.g. in vitro fertilization, animal cloning, microinsemination) to look for the possibility of producing KO rats, and also provide collaborative services to produce transgenic mice and rats by pronuclear DNA microinjection or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-mediated DNA transfer.

Advanced Reproductive Technology in Rats

A) Nuclear transplantation in rats Production of cloned rat embryos by serial nuclear transplantation (NT); Somatic cell nuclei are injected into enucleated oocytes (1st NT), and the couplets are activated with a chemical treatment. The karyoplast containing pseudo-pronucleus of the 1st NT embryos and enucleated zygotes are fused by a DC pulse (2nd NT).

B) Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in rats Production of fertilized rat oocytes by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); A single fishhook-shaped sperm head is microinjected into ovulated and denuded oocytes with the aid of Piezo-micromanipulators.

Staff

Associate Professor: HIRABAYASHI, Masumi, PhD 1981 Graduated from Faculty of Hygiene, Fujita Health University. 1981 Research Fellow, Laboratory Animal Center, Fujita Health University. 1983 Researcher, Research Institute of Life Science, Snow Brand Milk Products, Co. Ltd. 1992 Group Leader, YS New Technology Institute, Inc. 2001 Adjunct Associate Professor, 2002 Associate Professor, NIPS. Speciality: Laboratory Animal Science