Mouse models

ArtisOptimus and Taconic Farms are jointly using their strengths in MEF production and patented mouse models to bring a collection of primary mouse embryonic fi-broblasts to the research com-munity, under the brand name OptiMEF.

ArtisOptimus will produce and distribute MEFs made from knockout mouse models created using gene-targeting technologies by Taconic.

ArtisOptimus has licensed specific models that Taconic has licensed, developed and marketed as part of its Taconic Transgenic Models brand.

Initial products from this collaboration include primary MEFs with targeted mutations of Mdr1a/b or Mrp1. These genes are used to further the understanding of drug transport, bioavailability and disposition.

ArtisOptimus also offers a collection of OptiMEF cells derived from inbred and hybrid models for use as standardised systems. MEFs from both normal and knockout mouse models have proven to be powerful tools to advance gene functions analysis.