A transgenic mouse that is engineered by one or more genetic modifications that delete endogenous Adam6a and Adam6b genes in a male mouse, which mouse comprises in its genome only one exogenous Adam6 transgene, and expresses an ADAM6 protein comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2, which Adam6 transgene is functional in a male mouse.

A system is provided comprising a plurality of C. elegans cultures, where each culture comprises a transgenic C. elegans strain that models a mammalian disease or condition. Methods of using a system, e.g., for characterizing microbial strains of a mammalian microbiome and determining whether such microbial strains affect a mammalian disease or disorder.

This invention relates to the engineering of animal cells, preferably mammalian, more preferably rat, that are deficient due to the disruption of tumor suppressor gene(s) or gene product(s). In another aspect, the invention relates to genetically modified rats, as well as the descendants and ancestors of such animals, which are animal models of human cancer and methods of their use.

Disclosed are non-naturally occurring zebrafish, such as transgenic zebrafish, which comprise a mutation in the rhodopsin (rho) gene. Also disclosed are methods of identifying compounds useful in treating retinal-specific defects and disorders, such as degeneration. Further disclosed are methods of identifying mutations in the rhodopsin gene that can cause retinal-specific defects.

The present invention relates to a mouse (Mus musculus) in which expression and site-specific modification of a target protein is temporally and spatially controlled, and a method for producing the same and the use thereof, and more particularly to a transgenic mouse in which expression of a target protein having a modification attached to a specific position is temporally and spatially controlled as a result of incorporation of an unnatural amino acid. In the mouse according to the present invention, in which site-specific modification of a target protein is temporally and spatially controllable, expression of the target protein having the site-specific modification attached thereto is controllable depending on the timing and/or position of introduction of an unnatural amino acid. Thus, the mouse according to the present invention is useful for studies on the in vivo functions of cellular proteins, various human diseases including cancers and neurodegenerative disorders, new drug discovery, and the like.

Disclosed are non-naturally occurring zebrafish, such as transgenic zebrafish, which comprise a mutation in the rhodopsin (rho) gene. Also disclosed are methods of identifying compounds useful in treating retinal-specific defects and disorders, such as degeneration. Further disclosed are methods of identifying mutations in the rhodopsin gene that can cause retinal-specific defects.

In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions, including products of manufacture and kits, and methods, for reducing addiction to alcohol, and for ameliorating, reversing, treating or preventing Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD), or alcohol-induced brain injury, wherein optionally the alcohol-induced brain injury comprises neuronal death and astrogliosis (reducing alcohol-induced neuronal death and astrogliosis). In alternative embodiments, provided methods for administering to the individual in need thereof a compound or composition capable of inhibiting or decreasing the expression or activity of an IL-17 or IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) or RORt protein, transcript and/or gene to treat or for use in: reducing addiction to alcohol; or ameliorating, reversing, treating or preventing Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) or alcohol-induced brain injury; or, inhibiting ROR t to effectively block production of IL-17 cytokines and attenuate development of alcohol-induced liver fibrosis and brain damage.

The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating atherosclerosis in a subject comprising the use of therapeutic compounds to reduce Reelin in the circulation of the subject, thereby reducing the adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular wall. The invention also provides methods and compositions for reducing leukocyte adhesion to the vascular wall in a subject.

Adiponectin-expressing thymocytes and compositions comprising the thymocytes are provided. Methods are provided for using the adiponectin-expressing thymocytes for metabolic regulation and treatment of hyperproliferative diseases.

The present invention relates to an in vitro immune synapse system and a method of in vitro evaluating immune response using the same. The in vitro immune synapse system includes antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and at least one cell type of several specific T cell subtypes isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), all of which is from a same individual of pigs. When a test sample is co-cultured in the in vitro immune synapse system for a given period, it can be determined that the test sample is immunogenic, immunostimulatory or not according to the immunization-related changes of these cells, thereby potentially replacing some kinds of animal experimentation.