Mouse Genetic Reference Populations: Cellular Platforms for Integrative Systems Genetics

Trends Genet. 2021 Mar;37(3):251-265. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.09.007. Epub 2020 Sep 30.

Abstract

Interrogation of disease-relevant cellular and molecular traits exhibited by genetically diverse cell populations enables in vitro systems genetics approaches for uncovering the basic properties of cellular function and identity. Primary cells, stem cells, and organoids derived from genetically diverse mouse strains, such as Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred populations, offer the opportunity for parallel in vitro/in vivo screening. These panels provide genetic resolution for variant discovery and functional characterization, as well as disease modeling and in vivo validation capabilities. Here we review mouse cellular systems genetics approaches for characterizing the influence of genetic variation on signaling networks and phenotypic diversity, and we discuss approaches for data integration and cross-species validation.

Keywords: collaborative cross; diversity outbred; genetic reference population; integrative genomics; quantitative trait locus; systems genetics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / genetics*
  • Genetic Variation / genetics
  • Genetics / trends*
  • Genomics
  • Genotype
  • Mice
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Systems Biology / trends*