HOW CAN STUDIES ON KNOCKOUT MICE HELP IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF NORMAL AND ABNORMAL BREAST DEVELOPMENT

The ability to modify the genome by homologous recombination in embryo nic stem cells has proven to be a powerful tool in evaluating the role specific genes play in normal development and during the progression of specific diseases. This technology has already provided valuable in formation in understanding the roles of specific genes in the developm ent of the mammary gland and the interaction of specific genes in the development of mammary cancer. This paper discusses some of the curren t findings that knockout technology has made with regards to mammary d evelopment and discusses some of the limitations of this technology.