Genetics

Mouse Genetics and Colony Management for Researchers

An advanced course in mouse genetics and colony management. Explore complex inheritance patterns, breeding strategies and experimental design while developing the skills needed to manage genetically altered mouse lines effectively.

  • Genetics
  • 2 days
Tutor
Michelle Stewart
When
  • 4-6 October 2027
Availability
Open for booking
Duration
3 days

Course Overview

This course explores more complex genetic topics, including multiple allele crosses, complex disease models and will inform breeding strategies and experimental design rather than give a complete guide to the molecular biology. Our team of experienced trainers will support you to examine how different modifications lead to different breeding strategies, the importance of genetic consistency and integrity and different modes of inheritance. There will be multiple workshops throughout the course and a focus on troubleshooting unexpected issues when looking after Genetically Altered (GA) mouse lines.

Who is this for?

  • Colony Managers
  • Researchers
  • PhD Students

Includes

  • Understand genetic drift and how to maintain the genetic integrity of simple and complex GA lines
  • Understand GA nomenclature and why it is important
  • Predict the outcomes of genetic crosses involving multiple alleles, including chromosomal linkage and sex-linked genes
  • Perform multiple allele inheritance and breeding calculations
  • Understand the fundamentals of different methods that give rise to GA mouse strains
  • Troubleshoot breeding and colony maintenance issues
  • Know the basics of breeding conditional transgenic models
  • Discuss blinding and randomising GA experiments

Course details

Where

This course takes place at Advance, Harwell. You will be working in dedicated training spaces designed for practical scientific learning.

Format

This is a 1 day practical course built around active participation, demonstrations, and supervised technical work.

Level

Suitable for learners who want to translate scientific knowledge into stronger practical capability.

Availability

Register interest

Tutors

Michelle Stewart

Scientific Manager at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell

Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology; PhD in Neurobehavioural Genetics

Michelle Stewart is the Scientific Manager at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell. She began her career at the MLC in 2004 as an animal technician, quickly progressing to NACWO and ward manager before taking on the role of Scientific Manager in 2013.

Alongside her professional duties, Michelle completed a part-time degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, followed by a PhD in Neurobehavioural Genetics, which she was awarded in 2019.

Michelle has more than 20 years of experience working with genetically altered mice, with particular expertise in complex breeding strategies, colony management, phenotyping, and all aspects of licensing. In her current role, she oversees the full operation of the animal facility at the Mary Lyon Centre, including husbandry, in-vivo studies such as dosing and phenotyping, gene delivery, and rederivation.

She works closely with both external researchers and internal teams to support and deliver high-quality in-vivo research for academic groups, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical partners across the UK. Michelle is deeply passionate about genetics and is committed to training and mentoring both animal technicians and researchers, promoting best practice and ensuring that the use of animals in research is conducted to the highest scientific and ethical standards.

  • Genetics

What You Will Take Away

The course is designed to give learners practical outcomes they can carry back into their own work immediately.

Interactive workshops allowed us to actually understand and implement our knowledge.

Hands-on technical mastery

Leave with stronger practical confidence and a clearer understanding of how to troubleshoot real lab problems.

Current methods and emerging practice

Build capability that reflects how active researchers and technical teams are working now.

Confidence to work independently

Apply what you learn immediately, supported by materials, recordings, and follow-on guidance.

In Their Own Words

Questions

What should I bring?

Bring a notebook and any device you regularly use for work. We provide the equipment and materials needed for the practical sessions.

Is prior experience required?

The course is designed for learners who want to build or deepen practical capability. If you are unsure about your level, contact us and we can advise.

Do you offer group bookings?

Yes. We can discuss group bookings, scheduling, and practical requirements for teams or organisations.

Ready to Advance Your Practice?

Secure your place or register your interest today