Somatic Recombination with MADM (Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers)

Stanford scientists in Dr. Liqun Luo's laboratory have developed a patented method for site-directed somatic cell recombination and concurrent labeling of "knock in" cells. The technique, mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM), allows for highly sensitive detection of recombination events down to the single-cell level. This enables researchers to study gene function in particular tissues and developmental stages, mimic loss of heterozygosity in cancers, and generate specific mutant mouse models.

Stage of Research
The inventors have used MADM to achieve tumor-suppressor gene inactivation and concurrent labeling of sporadic mutant cells in mice, closely mimicking the loss of heterozygosity that occurs in human cancers. The inventors continue to develop the MADM technology on several other mouse chromosomes with improved transgenes.