Systemic Phenotyping by the Czech Centre for Phenogenomics

Czech Centre for Phenogenomics (CCP) at Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences

The Czech Centre for Phenogenomics (CCP) is the only specialised workplace in the Czech Republic that creates genetically modified mouse and rat models for the study of gene functions and their role in the development and treatment of diseases. CCP uses standardised, state-of-the-art phenotyping to characterise the expression of gene function. CCP also provides cryo-archiving services to preserve the mouse lines as well as export and import services from other countries around the globe.
The CCP has gained a worldwide reputation for the quality of its services and publication results and has a strong position in international consortia such as the global International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), which aims to determine the role of all mammalian genes (outputs can then be applied to human medicine), and the European ESFRI INFRAFRONTIER and EuroPDX. CCP is also involved in many international scientific projects and provides a unique comprehensive preclinical research service.

Service Description:

The Phenotyping Module at the Czech Centre for Phenogenomics (CCP) encompasses a comprehensive collection of tools and know-how for the systematic and deep-drilling behavioural, physiological and morphological assessment of mice and rats models in a controlled specific pathogen-free environment.
The Phenotyping Module comprises of individual specialised laboratories focused on particular physiological domains, such as metabolism, immunity, behaviour, sensory perception, cardiovascular function, body development etc., organised into a logical primary phenotyping “pipeline”, collecting 1000 primary phenotyping data according to IMPC standards for each characterisation, with the total number of parameters being higher as it includes additional assays.

Besides this, the module performs high throughput and standardised analysis capturing up to 1000 unique parameters for each gene/mouse line analysed, and thereby minimising overall animal usage. CCP offers development of tailored models for a specific disease, or a gene variant coupled with in-depth in vivo and ex vivo analyses to its users.

Moreover, CCP with the Phenotyping Module provides a pipeline for preclinical testing of treatment and compounds as future drugs, including toxicology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and bio-distribution of the studied molecules, also in the GLP mode. CCP has established a specific pipeline for generation and characterisation of PDX (patient-derived xenografts) models to study cancer development and its treatment.

The CCP offers a large variety of standardised tests and services, including those of a comprehensive basic research pipeline according to IMPReSS (International Mouse Phenotyping Resource of Standardised Screens).

Additional Support

Other standardised services and primary tests:

Mouse/rat model generation, their full characterisation and their delivery in the form of animals or frozen archived lines
Establishment of a precise genetic (using genome editing) or induced models of a human disease with characterisation of disease development
Preclinical compound/treatment testing, including GLP mode
PDX development and characterisation
Comprehensive report with statistical evaluation

The details on individual screens of the Phenotyping Module are available HERE.

In addition to standardised primary tests, CCP offers secondary (specialised or deep-drilling) tests that can be customised to meet user needs.

CCP is also developing preclinical testing procedures to support translation of the research into application, including PDX (Patient-Derived Tumour Xenograft) technology studying the development of human tumours.

Furthermore, a state-of-the-art laboratory for the study of infections at the BSL-3 biosafety level for animal work was opened in spring 2023. The lab is equipped for advanced research and testing of human pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 and hepatitis. The facility is designed for long-term experiments and preclinical testing of antivirals, as well as efficacy studies and testing of other drugs against human pathogens. More information HERE

Relevant Publications

Gruper Y, Wolff ASB, Glanz L, et al. Autoimmune amelogenesis imperfecta in patients with APS-1 and coeliac disease. Nature. 2023; 624(7992):653-662. doi:10.1038/s41586-023-06776-0
Spoutil F, Aranaz-Novaliches G, Prochazkova M, et al. Early evolution of enamel matrix proteins is reflected by pleiotropy of physiological functions. Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1): 1471. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28388-4
De Gasparo R, Pedotti M, Simonelli L, et al. Bispecific IgG neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants and prevents escape in mice. Nature. 2021; 593(7859):424-428 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03461-y

How to apply to the INFRAFRONTIER Systemic Phenotyping service?

Please use INFRAFRONTIER Service Request Form or Pbagnpg hf if questions.