Isolation of Genomic DNA from Tail Tissue

Abstract

Transgenic animals are identified by the presence of transgene sequences in genomic DNA isolated from biopsy material. A suitable method of obtaining this genomic DNA must fulfill three criteria:

• 1. The method must be rapid and easily performed. Up to 100 genomic DNA preparations may have to be performed simultaneously. In an active transgenic laboratory, many thousands of transgenic mice may be analyzed annually.

• 2. The DNA should be pure enough to be cleaved by restriction enzymes for subsequent Southern blot analysis.

• 3. The acquisition of the biopsy must not cause undue distress to the animal. A large amount of genomic DNA is not required, it is therefore not necessary to perform major surgical operations, such as partial hepatectomy, to obtain tissue samples. Any techniques that require anesthesia or result in large losses of blood (e.g., tail bleeding or sampling blood from the eye) are distressing to an animal and put the life of a potentially valuable transgenic founder at risk.