Some of the current concepts used in transgenic research, an increasingly important tool to study the regulation and function of genes, are illustrated in this book. With these techniques, animal models can be used to study human diseases; this opens up new possibilities in both applied and basic research. Specifically, the ability to introduce genes into the germline of mice and the successful expression of the inserted gene within an organism provide new insights and opportunities for biomedical research. The discussion here shows how a detailed analysis of the underlying molecular mechanisms will provide new insights into the genetic origin of certain diseases and will lead to a better understanding of normal and abnormal physiological processes.

Inhalt

1 The Human Renin-Angiotensin System in Transgenic Rats - New Tools for Antihypertensive Therapy.- 2 Probing the Genetics of Atherosclerosis in Transgenic Mice.- 3 The PrP-less Mouse: A Tool for Prion Research.- 4 The Carboxyterminal Fragment of the Alzheimer Amyloid Protein Precursor Causes Neurodegeneration In Vivo.- 5 Transgenic Models of Chronic Arthritis and of Systemic Tumour Necrosis Factor-Mediated Disease in Mice Expressing Human Tumour Necrosis Factor.- 6 Mammary Neoplasia in Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus-Transforming Growth Factor ? Transgenic Mice.- 7 Exploring the Pathogenic Potential of c-fos, Polyoma Middle T and Human Foamy Virus in Transgenic Mice.- 8 Transgenic Animals as Bioreactors for Therapeutic and Nutritional Proteins.- 9 Targeted Inactivation of the Muscle Regulatory Genes Myf-5 and MyoD: Effect on Muscle and Skeletal Development.