NearIsogenic

NearIsogenic refers to a type of genetically modified organism, typically a laboratory animal like a mouse, that has been bred to be nearly identical to a wild-type or reference strain with the exception of a specific genetic modification. This modification is usually a single gene or a small set of genes that have been introduced, deleted, or altered. The goal of creating a near-isogenic line is to minimize genetic background noise, which can confound research results. By keeping the vast majority of the genetic makeup the same, researchers can be more confident that any observed phenotypic differences are directly attributable to the specific genetic change they have engineered. This is achieved through extensive backcrossing, where the modified strain is repeatedly crossed with the wild-type strain over many generations, selecting for individuals that carry the desired genetic alteration while discarding those that do not. This process gradually replaces the genetic material from the donor strain with that of the recipient strain, resulting in a line that is almost genetically identical to the recipient strain, save for the targeted genetic locus. Near-isogenic lines are invaluable tools in genetic studies, drug development, and disease modeling, allowing for more precise and reproducible research outcomes.