Genome_sequencing_of_NSG_mouse_line

The immunodeficient NSG mouse line is a favoured host for human xenografts with a plethora of use in the field of cancer, infection, immunology & haemopoiesis. However, altough the NSG line is possibly one of the most permissive for this purpose; it has significangt limitations. In particular haemopoietic stem cell engraftment is usually suboptimal, generating only a small fraction of mature progeny (<2-3%). We hope to genetically modify the NSG line to improve its utility in human-to-mouse xenograft studies. As part of this work we want to sequence the NSG genome and determine the basis of its immunodeficiency. The line was generated by bckcrossing IL2Rg mice into the NOD-SCID background. The NOD background probably contains a number of relevant alleles and this will form the most important part opfthe study