National BioResource Project -Rat (NBRP-Rat) has been collecting, preserving, and distributing a wide range of rat strains —an essential biological resource— to support the advancement of life sciences since its launch in 2002. At the Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo (IMSUT), we serve as one of the core collaborating institutions within the NBRP-Rat framework and lead the preservation and distribution of severe immunodeficient and Cre-driver rat strains. Notably, the moderate body size of rats, along with their high adaptability and amenability to genetic and environmental manipulation, has positioned them as one of the widely used laboratory animal models across various fields, including neurology, pharmacology, learning & behavior, physiology, nutrition, etc.
1. Severe Combined ImmunoDeficiency (SCID) rat -in service for distributions
SCID rats are a type of immunocompromised strain widely used in humanized animal research and regenerative medicine research. These SCID rats serve as robust platforms for the engraftment of human cells and/or human iPS cells. We continue to stably maintain and distribute these SCID rats, which were developed using genome-editing technology.
2. Cre-driver rats -in service for limited distributions, and technical support available for generating Cre-driver rats
Cre-driver rats enable tissue- and/or cell-specific gene expression and are in high demand among researchers for high-resolution studies. However, the availability of specific Cre-driver rat strains and comprehensive Cre expression data remains limited. To address this need, we distribute a variety of Cre-driver rats (reporter rats) developed from genome-editing technology. In addition, we also actively collect Cre-expression data from users to enrich our database, which is now open access to the public from our website.
In recent years, stem cell transplantation into immunocompromised rats and chimeric animal generation through blastocyst complementation using ES/iPS cells have attracted public attention, as a promising strategy to regenerate human cells, tissues, organs, and humanized animals. Nevertheless, such specialized technology remains difficult to widely implement. To nurture young researchers and continue employing such a consolidated research animal—rats, as a bioresource, we also actively host technical workshops to guide the step-wise generation of genetically modified rats and their application, as well as relevant skills that are in use in the field of regenerative medicine.
Today, NBRP-Rat actively distributes rat strains for various research purposes and supports researchers in learning rat-related skills and technology, which sheds light on contributing to the acceleration of progress in global life sciences.
Representative of NBRP-Rat Collaborating Institution
Tomoji Mashimo