Congenic
In genetics, two organisms that differ in only one locus and a linked segment of chromosome are defined as congenic.[1] Similarly, organisms that are coisogenic differ in one locus only and not in the surrounding chromosome. Unlike congenic organisms, coisogenic organisms cannot be bred and only occur through spontaneous or targeted mutation at the locus.
Generating congenic strains
Congenic strains are generated in the laboratory by mating two inbred strains (usually rats or mice), and back-crossing the descendants 5–10 generations with one of the original strains, known as the recipient strain. Typically selection for either phenotype or genotype is performed prior to each back-cross generation. In this manner either an interesting phenotype, or a defined chromosomal region assayed by genotype, is passed from the donor strain onto an otherwise uniform recipient background. Congenic mice or rats can then be compared to the pure recipient strain to determine whether they are phenotypically different if selection was for a genotypic region, or to identify the critical genetic locus, if selection was for a phenotype.
Speed congenics can be produced in as little as five back-cross generations,
See also
Notes and references
- ^ "Congenic - definition from Biology-Online.org". Biology-Online.org dictionary. Biology-Online.org. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- S2CID 25212164.
Further reading
Congenic strains are discussed in detail in Lee Silver's online book Mouse Genetics: Concepts and Applications:
- "Mouse Genetics: Concepts and Applications". Lee Silver. Retrieved 2007-10-18.[1]
 | This genetics article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |