Since the first gene transfers into mice in 1980, transgenic mice have allowed researchers to study the role of genes in development, physiology and disease. In this module participants will have the opportunity to get an introduction into current technical possibilities (Figure Purkinje-cell specific disruption of Kcc2). In this module several mouse models for hereditary human disorders from our currently ongoing scientific projects will be presented. Practical work will include molecular biology including cloning strategies and genotyping techniques. You will also have the possibility to get insights into mouse embryo manipulation. Selected initial mouse phenotyping techniques will be demonstrated including morphological techniques, behavioral analysis, and electrophysiology.

Staining of cerebellar sections from wild-type (WT, left) and Purkinje cell specific Kcc2 knockout mice (KO, right). Kcc2 is stained in green, Purkinje cells are labelled in red for calbindin and nuclei are stained with DAPI in blue. In the cell specific KO Purkinje cells do not express Kcc2 any more, while Kcc2 expression in granule neurons and interneurons is preserved.