Service for Obtaining and Cryopreservation of Animal Models (SOMA)

The SOMA service is affiliated with the Institute of Biomedical Technologies (ITB) and the University of La Laguna (ULL). It operates within the framework of the Agustín de Betancourt grant program, funded by the Tenerife Island Council, TF Innova, FDCAN, and MEDI. The service aims to provide researchers from the ITB, ULL, and any public or private organization with the opportunity to develop their own cellular and animal models, enabling them to advance their research more efficiently. SOMA also offers the option to cryopreserve these models to ensure their long-term preservation.

Services

Cloning
For gene editing experiments with insertions of specific sequences, a DNA repair template is needed which, depending on its size, must be created by cloning, which can be requested from the service.

Obtaining a genetically modified cell line
This service includes all the necessary steps to establish a genetically modified cell line, from the transfection of the reagents to obtaining the clone with the desired modification, including obtaining different clones and screening them.

Pronuclear microinjection (soon)
Service to inject the content needed by the user into the pronucleus of a fertilized mouse egg by microinjection.

In vitro fertilization (soon)
The in vitro fertilization process is essential for the recovery or creation of a mouse model. The fertilized embryos must then be implanted in a surrogate mother, unless the objective is to study their development to the blastocyst stage.

Embryo transfer (soon)
Embryo transfer to surrogate mothers is necessary both when creating a new mouse model and when acquiring a commercially available mouse model that is transported cryopreserved. In the latter case, it not only facilitates air transport but also prevents the introduction of pathogens into the animal facility.

Cryopreservation of mouse sperm (soon)
Mouse sperm preservation is ensured by freezing it in liquid nitrogen.

Cryopreservation of mouse embryos (soon)
Preservation of mouse embryos by freezing them in liquid nitrogen.

Liquid nitrogen maintenance (soon)
Once the sperm and embryos are cryopreserved, they must be kept at an adequate level of nitrogen for proper maintenance.

Thawing mouse embryos (soon)
This service offers the possibility of thawing mouse embryos for revitalization.

Mouse genotyping
When working with mouse models, it is necessary to genotype them to confirm that they retain the genetic modification they initially carried. Genotyping is also necessary after a gene-editing experiment.

Teams

  • Thermocycler
  • Bacterial incubator-shaker
  • CO2 incubator for cells
  • Transilluminator
  • Laminar flow cabinet
  • Centrifuges for 1.5 ml and 15 ml tubes
  • Thermal block
  • Nanodrop
  • Trans-blot turbo transfer system
  • Inverted microscope DMi1
  • Olympus X inverted microscope
  • Olympus IX71 stereomicroscope
  • FemtoJet Microinjector
  • Narishinge Micromanipulators
  • CellTram vacuum system
  • Anesthesia equipment for small animals (animal facility)

Staff

Belinda Rivero Pérez

Documents

Rates

Service IPOs Companies
Consulting and design of gene editing experiments 40€ 50€
Cloning 100€ 125€
Obtaining a genetically modified cell line 1125€ 1250€
Pronuclear microinjection 950€ 1020€
In vitro fertilization with fresh sperm 100€ 130€
In vitro fertilization with frozen sperm 150€ 220€
Embryo transfer 80€ 100€
Cryopreservation of mouse sperm 80€ 100€
Cryopreservation of mouse embryos 30€ 60€
Liquid nitrogen maintenance €3/mouse/year €5/mouse/year
Thawing mouse embryos 18€ 25€
Mouse genotyping €2/mouse €8/mouse

Contact

Belinda Rivero Pérez
briverop@ull.edu.es