Protect Your Research: Know Your B6 Mouse

The C57BL/6 inbred mouse (B6) is the most commonly used research strain. This strain is the most well characterized, the first to have its’ entire genome sequenced, and is the genetic background strain of choice for most targeted mutations and transgenics. The universal acceptance and demand for B6 mice has necessitated their production from multiple sources, introducing genetic and phenotypic variability that has important consequences for accurately interpreting and repeating research results.