Discovery Genetics: Serendipity in Basic Research
Open Access
- 1 January 2005
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in ILAR Journal
- Vol. 46 (4) , 338-345
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar.46.4.338
Abstract
The role of serendipity in science has no better example than the discovery of spontaneous mutations that leads to new mouse models for research. The approach of finding phenotypes and then carrying out genetic analysis is called forward genetics. Serendipity is a key component of discovering and developing mice with spontaneous mutations into animal models of human disease. In this article, the role of serendipity in discovering and developing mouse models is described within a program at The Jackson Laboratory that capitalizes on serendipitous discoveries in large breeding colonies. Also described is how any scientists working with mice can take advantage of serendipitous discoveries as a research strategy to develop new models. Spontaneous mutations cannot be planned but happen in all research mouse colonies and are discovered as unexpected phenotypes. The alert scientist or technician can rationally exploit such chance observations to create new research opportunities.Keywords
This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- An Efficient SNP System for Mouse Genome Scanning and Elucidating Strain RelationshipsGenome Research, 2004
- A public gene trap resource for mouse functional genomicsNature Genetics, 2004
- Initial sequencing and comparative analysis of the mouse genomeNature, 2002
- Efficient generation and mapping of recessive developmental mutations using ENU mutagenesisNature Genetics, 2002
- Identification and genetic mapping of 151 dispersed members of 16 ribosomal protein multigene families in the mouseMammalian Genome, 1994
- PCR-Amplification of Simple Sequence Repeat Variants from Pooled DNA Samples for Rapidly Mapping New Mutations of the MouseGenomics, 1994
- Disruption of the Hoxd-13 gene induces localized heterochrony leading to mice with neotenic limbsCell, 1993
- A gene trap approach in mouse embryonic stem cells: the lacZ reported is activated by splicing, reflects endogenous gene expression, and is mutagenic in mice.Genes & Development, 1992
- The hairy ears (Eh) mutation is closely associated with a chromosomal rearrangement in mouse chromosome 15Genetics Research, 1990
- Natural mutation rates in the house mouse estimates for five specific loci and dominant mutationsMutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 1971