Thursday, Nov 14th – 09H-12H
Genetically Modified Mouse Models: From Generation to Colony Management in Accordance with the 3Rs
Hosted at salle Pierre Soulage Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle
141 rue Cardonille, 34090 Montpellier
www.igf.cnrs.fr
Talk #1: Minimize the use of mice in preclinical research by choosing the right mouse model.
Speaker: Ditte Olsen, PhD - (30') 
Field Applications Scientist
The success rate of translating preclinical findings into clinical treatments is estimated to be less than 10%. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the “valley of death” in translational research. The challenge of translatability is caused by several factors including, biological differences between animal models and humans, reproducibility issues, poor model selection and statistical and methodological flaws.
This presentation will focus on the significance of choosing the right mouse model, highlighting the importance of genetic background and phenotypic relevance to optimize experimental design which are crucial for the success and ethical integrity of biomedical research and to conduct animal studies in a manner that follows the 3R principles.
Talk #2: Existing tools for Customized Models Generation Solution – pros & cons about the different methodologies.
Speaker: Benedikt Wefers, PhD - (30')
Scientific Program Manager, Custom Model Generation Solutions
Genetically engineered animal models are important tools for both academic fundamental research, as well as in pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. Due to steady advances in gene targeting, increasingly sophisticated and highly customized models can be generated. In this presentation we will discuss the three major methods to generate these customized models and will focus on their specific advantages and on their limitations & drawbacks. Choosing the correct methodology is not only important for efficient and cost-effective generation of experimental models but is also key in the reduction of sur-plus animals in the sense of the 3Rs.
Talk #3: Optimized colony management solutions with respect to the 3 R’s.
Speaker: Julie Torvund-Jensen, PhD – (30‘)
Scientific Program Manager, Scientific Services
A growing focus on animal welfare and the 3 R’s, combined with increasingly strict regulations for animal euthanasia creates a need for optimized colony management solutions. Balancing the need for easily accessible study animals while limiting animal wastage can be challenging and requires meticulous planning. During this presentation we will present the available tools for optimized colony management with respect to the 3 R’s.
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Meet the Speakers
Ditte Olsen, PhD
Field Applications Scientist
Dr. Ditte Olsen received her Master of Science in Molecular Biology from Aarhus University, Denmark and earned her industrial PhD in Neuroscience from Aarhus University and Lundbeck. During her PhD, Ditte studied the dopaminergic system in various transgenic animal models.
During her postdoctoral training, her focus changed to the field of cardiovascular disorders. Following her postdoctoral training, she joined a biotech company where her focus was on preclinical research using small molecules to reduce high cholesterol levels. Ditte brings nearly 15 years of in vivo research experience to her role as a Field Application Scientist at Taconic.
Benedikt Wefers, PhD
Scientific Program Manager, Custom Model Generation Solutions
Dr. Benedikt Wefers is an expert in genome engineering, developmental genetics, and neurobiology with more than 12 years of experience in custom mouse model generation. Before joining Taconic, Dr. Benedikt Wefers was head of the Mouse Genome Engineering Unit at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich, Germany), where he generated >100 mouse disease models for neuroscience research.
He received his Ph.D. from the Technical University of Munich in 2011, working on genetic mouse models to better understand emotional behaviors. Afterwards he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Helmholtz Munich focusing on the development of new genome modification tools for in vivo gene editing and on improving the efficiency of precise gene targeting.
Julie Torvund-Jensen, PhD
Scientific Program Manager, Scientific Services
Dr. Julie Torvund-Jensen has 5+ years of experience with developing and overseeing colony management programs for Genetically Engineered Models at Taconic. In her role as Scientific Program Manager, she provides scientific consultation on how to establish and maintain rodent colonies with specific focus on genetic integrity and reducing animal wastage.
Dr. Torvund-Jensen received her PhD in Molecular Biology from Aarhus University in 2017, where she used in vivo models to understand molecular mechanisms controlling the myelination process in the central nervous system. She then worked as a postdoctoral researcher within metabolic diseases and inflammation before joining Taconic.
