Phenotyping Services

The Mouse Biology Program offers cutting-edge phenotyping tools designed to characterize your mouse model accurately. Services integrate traditional and advanced approaches to meet your research needs.


Customizable testing platforms are available to evaluate gene loss through the Discovery Pipeline and validate disease models with the Targeted Pipeline. The Challenge Pipeline assesses environmental, drug, surgical, or nutritional effects, providing tailored solutions for adult and embryonic mutant mouse models.

Our highly trained staff follows standardized, validated protocols approved by UC Davis IACUC. We can develop novel testing protocols, test new therapeutics, and provide consulting services to support your research design.

Researchers can send mice to us, choose from our mutant mouse catalog, or have us create and phenotype new models. Mice are housed in a pathogen-free vivarium adjacent to our fully equipped testing facility, which features 11 dedicated procedure rooms and a BSL2 facility. The MBP Vivarium and Animal Health Division provide veterinary care.

Some of our areas include:

  • Behavioral Phenotyping Services: Assessment of mouse behavior to understand neurological and psychological traits.
  • Metabolic Phenotyping Services: Evaluation of metabolic functions and disorders in mouse
    models.
  • Morphological and Physiological Services: Examination of physical structures and physiological
    processes in mice.
  • Embryo Phenotyping: Analysis of embryo development and viability, crucial for understanding
    genetics and reproductive biology.
  • Imaging Services: Utilization of advanced imaging techniques to visualize internal structures and
    functions in live mice.
  • Pathology Services: Diagnostic examination of tissues and cells to identify diseases and study
    the effects of genetic modifications.
  • Analytical Services: Data analysis from various mouse studies, interpreting results in the context
    of research objectives.
  • Phenology Services: Study of the timing of life cycle events in mice and how these are
    influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
  • Rare Disease Models: Development and study of mouse models that mimic rare human
    diseases for research and therapeutic development.
  • Sperm Phenotyping: Analysis of sperm characteristics, essential for understanding fertility and
    reproductive genetics.
  • PDX Modeling: Creation of patient-derived xenograft models where human tumor tissues are
    implanted in mice for cancer research