GENETICALLY-MODIFIED ANIMALS AND IMMUNODEFICIENCY

Mouse strains with defined genetic defects engineered by the method of targeted gene disruption and homologous recombination have furthered our understanding of immune functions at the single gene level. More i mportantly, these mutant 'gene knockout' mice are powerful in vivo too ls to dissect the complex mechanisms of lymphocyte development and fun ction, complementing our broadening knowledge of congenital and acquir ed human immunodeficiencies.