Our promise to you:
Guaranteed product quality, expert customer support.
24x7 CUSTOMER SERVICE
CONTACT US TO ORDER
CRISPR Rat for Behavioral Research 
Rats are more complex rodents than mice, and they can be trained to perform more challenging cognitive tasks and have a richer range of behaviors and social interactions. Some of these behavioral tests give rat models a behavioral advantage over mice. For example, in the Morris water maze test used to assess spatial memory, mice have greater difficulty learning platform positions compared to rats because mice tend to avoid swimming as a habit. In addition, the researchers suggest using behavioral tests in rats to investigate cognitive function, which facilitates the study of psychiatric disorders.
Creating unique rat disease models using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing could allow us to study how certain genes affect the function of specific neural circuits that control physical movement and complex cognitive behavior in the adult rat brain. The creation of new animal models using these new technologies will expand our understanding of the relationship between specific genes and the development of neurological diseases such as drug abuse or Parkinson's disease.
Fig. 1 Experimental Approaches for Induction of CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Knockout of Genes in the Rat Midbrain. (Bäck S, et al., 2019)
Solution
CRISPR/Cas9 PlatformCB can help you scrutinize the interactions between genes and behavior in a more precise way. We can add, remove or even alter genetic material at specific target locations. Thus, we can manipulate genes in healthy or even diseased model rats and study the subsequent effects on behavior. We focus on behavioral traits in rats and offer studies of the causal relationship between gene loss of function and schizophrenia-related phenotypes, including cognitive impairment. Our services can help you gain insight not only into the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, but also into the role of specific genes in brain function and dysfunction. The following are our case studies of CRISPR/Cas9-based behavioral studies with subsequent behavioral assays.
- Induction of neurofibromatosis in rats with CRISPR/Cas9
- Improving neurotoxicity in Huntington's disease with CRISPR/Cas9
- Modeling Fragile X Syndrome in Rats Using CRISPR
- Using CRISPR/Cas9 to understand astrocyte function
- Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in combination with molecular and functional brain imaging in the adult rat brain to study the effects of target molecules on brain function at the whole brain level
Our behavioral testing includes, but is not limited to
- Cognitive and memory behavioral tests
- Emotion-related behavioral tests
- Motor behavior testing
- Pain-related behavioral tests
Related Services
Related Products
CRISPR/Cas9 PlatformCB creates unique rat models for behavioral studies with many advantages, including time savings, potentially reduced animal use, and overall cost-effectiveness. We can use CRISPR/Cas9 technology to customize the right gene editing model for your research. We are happy to provide the creation and design of gene editing models for our clients worldwide.
Reference:
- Bäck S, et al. Neuron-Specific Genome Modification in the Adult Rat Brain Using CRISPR-Cas9 Transgenic Rats. Neuron. 2019, 102(1):105-119.e8.