Dual Mosaic, a versatile method for mosaic gene function analysis. Dual ifg Mosaic

Improved methods for manipulating and analyzing gene function have provided abetter understanding of how genes work during organ development and disease.Inducible functional genetic mosaics can be extraordinarily useful in the study ofbiological systems; however, this experimental approach is still rarely used invertebrates. This is mainly due to technical difficulties in the assembly of large DNAconstructs carrying multiple genes and regulatory elements and their targeting to thegenome. In addition, mosaic phenotypic analysis, unlike classical single gene functionanalysis, requires clear labeling and detection of multiple cell clones in the sametissue. Here, we describe several methods for the rapid generation of transgenic orgene-targeted mice and ES cell lines containing all the necessary elements forinducible, fluorescent and functional genetic mosaic (ifgMosaic) analysis. Thistechnology enables the interrogation of multiple and combinatorial gene function withhigh temporal and cellular resolution.