Transgene Design

The application of transgenesis has increased exponentially since its introduction in the early 1980s, and it is still one of the most powerful methods to study gene function. As approaches to solve scientific problems became more complex, transgene design evolved alongside. At this moment the versatility in strategies and applications of transgenic animal models is both staggering and exciting. An attempt to give a fully comprehensive overview of all variations in transgene design described in the scientific press would be an illusion and would exceed the aim of this chapter. Nevertheless, the strategy for generating a transgenic animal model (i.e., design of a transgene) warrants special attention to ensure the highest chances for success. Therefore, this chapter provides a concise overview of the elementary requirements of a transgenic construct and some considerations in transgene design. In addition, a number of aspects are discussed that may influence choices early on in the process of designing and generating a transgenic mouse model.