Toxicology in Transition [antikvár]

Concepts, Potentials and Methods for Constructing Transgenic Cells and Animals K. Buerki Preclinical Research, Sandoz Pharma Ltd., CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland The spectre of methods to stably alter the genetic constitution of cells and animals is cuirently being extended by methods of unprecedented precision. Whereas classical transgene constructs are used to randomly insert additional sequences into the genome, todays targeting vectors allow the modification of a selected endogenous gene in a precisely predetermined way. This has opened new ways to experimentally investigate the molecular components of cells and of complex in vivo systems (Hanahan 1989). With regard to toxicology, genetically modified cells and animals will contribute to a better understanding of the primary events and of the mechanisms leading to the manifestation of damage by toxic agents (Liggitt and Reddington 1992). This in turn will eventually lead to refined in vitro and in vivo systems to monitor for toxic effects.