C57BL/6

C57BL/6 Mouse

File:Black 6 mouse eating.jpg

A C57BL/6 mouse eating

The C57BL/6 mouse, also known as Black 6, is one of the most commonly used inbred strains of laboratory mouses. It is widely used in biomedical research due to its well-documented genome and its susceptibility to a variety of diseases, making it an ideal model for studying human diseases.

Characteristics

C57BL/6 mice are known for their distinctive black coat color. They are often used in genetic research because they have a well-characterized genetic background. This strain is particularly useful in studies involving immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.

Behavior

C57BL/6 mice are generally more aggressive than other strains, which can be a consideration in behavioral studies. They are also known for their high levels of locomotor activity and exploratory behavior.

Health and Disease

This strain is prone to developing obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, making it a valuable model for studying these conditions. C57BL/6 mice are also used in cancer research due to their susceptibility to tumor formation.

Use in Research

C57BL/6 mice are extensively used in transgenic and knockout mouse studies. Their genetic uniformity allows for consistent results across experiments, which is crucial for reproducibility in scientific research.

Genetic Engineering

The C57BL/6 strain is often used as the background strain for creating genetically modified organisms. This is because their genome has been fully sequenced, and they are amenable to gene editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9.

Immunological Studies

Due to their well-characterized immune system, C57BL/6 mice are frequently used in immunology research. They are particularly useful in studies involving autoimmune diseases and vaccine development.

Related Pages

• Laboratory mouse
• Inbred strain
• Genetic research
• Transgenic mouse
• Knockout mouse