Strategies To Minimize Genetic Drift And Maximize Experimental Reproducibility In Mouse Research

Abstract: 

Genetic drift occurs in any independent mouse breeding colony and has the potential to negatively affect experimental reproducibility and scientific conclusions. Spontaneous mutations caused by genetic drift may go unrecognized for years, until the specific research questions that depend on such mutations happen to be addressed.

While it cannot be stopped completely, genetic drift and the impact on scientific discovery can be minimized through careful and thoughtful colony management practices. Because individual mouse breeding colonies may differ in size and management strategies, use of complete and accurate mouse strain nomenclature, including substrain designation, benefits the scientific community as a whole.