Animal models by genetic manipulation

We are interested in understanding the function of regulatory elements necessary to identify gene expression domains in mammalian genomes and that help to specify gene expression patterns in space and time. Our basic aim is to improve adequate interpretation of the genome, especially the function of intergenic sequences, where most regulatory elements are located, and to improve the design of gene transfer strategies applied in animal transgenesis and gene therapy.Functional analysis of regulatory elements within the intergenic sequences can be now addressed more efficiently, thanks to the new CRISPR-Cas9 gene modification system that we have implemented successfully in our laboratory. In addition, we generated and analysed new animal models to study visual abnormalities, including anomalies that affect retina development associated with albinism, as well as other retinopathies such as achromatopsia