Centre for In Vivo Modelling Service Core

At the Centre for In Vivo Modelling (CIVM), we combine advanced animal genetics and cutting-edge technologies to drive cancer research. Our multidisciplinary team specialises in the generation and maintenance of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), humanised mouse strains, and patient-derived models (xenografts and organoids), using innovations such as CRISPR gene editing, embryo manipulation, and in vivo genetic screening. We develop and cryopreserve new cancer models that closely replicate human disease, supporting translational studies that inform effective therapies. Our approach integrates rigorous scientific standards, ethical oversight, and collaborative expertise, aiming to accelerate progress in understanding cancer biology and developing better treatments for patients.

Our Centre is dedicated to driving innovation and excellence in cancer research through advanced in vivo modelling. We work in close collaboration with the ICR researchers and clinicians at The Royal Marsden to generate genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and patient-derived models, such as patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and patient-derived organoids (PDOs) to interrogate cancer biology in its own ecosystem. By leveraging these sophisticated in vivo systems, the Centre aims to:

  • Develop innovative cancer models in collaboration with ICR researchers to advance cancer research and drug discovery.
  • Work in partnership with The Royal Marsden Hospital to obtain patient samples and generate new patient-derived cancer models for translational studies.
  • Foster close interdisciplinary collaboration with drug discovery teams to leverage these in vivo models in the creation and testing of next-generation anti-cancer therapies.
  • Continuously improve the sophistication and relevance of our cancer models, ensuring they more faithfully recapitulate the complexity of human disease and enhance the translational impact of our research.

 

Our services

Advantages of cryopreserving your strains:

  • Allows you to save space, by getting the mice you need, when you need;
  • Reduces your animal costs;
  • Reduces animal use;
  • Reduces risk from disasters (e.g. disease outbreaks, breeding cessation, equipment failures, genetic contamination, natural disasters, etc…).

 What can be cryopreserved?

  • Mouse Sperm
  • Mouse Embryos
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
  • Mouse Oocytes

 Sperm Cryopreservation:

Description: Sperm is retrieved from the epididymal tissues of 3 male mice and is cryopreserved in 20 to 30 straws that are stored in liquid-phase, liquid nitrogen across two tanks in two separate locations (SRD and CCDD), to ensure sample safety and mitigate risks associated to unexpected or uncontrollable events.

Material needed: 3 males, reproductively active, 12-25 weeks old

Timeline: 2-6 weeks (dependant on QC method of choice)

Considerations: this method of cryopreservation is rapid and cheap; however, it only preserves half of the genome. This method is only recommended for single mutations on a common inbred background.

Quality Control: we provide different levels of Quality Control (QC) for different price ranges.

  1. Test thaw QC: we will thaw 1 straw the day after cryopreservation and visually assess motility and viability of the recovered sperm
  2. IVF and culture to blastocyst QC: we highly recommend this QC step. In addition to test thaw, we will also perform IVF and culture embryos up to blastocyst stage. We will provide the investigator with a fertility rate (%) for the recovered sperm. We will charge an extra cost to cover the IVF procedure.
  3. IVF and embryo transfer QC: In addition to test thaw, we will perform IVF and transfer 2-cell embryos into up to 3 pseudopregnant females to generate viable embryos/live pups. We will charge an extra cost to cover the IVF and embryo transfer procedures.

    Please note that we require you to provide your genotyping protocol, as well as full detail of the genetic content of each strain that you submit for cryopreservation.

Diagram of Sperm Cryopreservation

Embryo Cryopreservation:

Description: Female mice are hormonally superovulated and oocytes are retrieved for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with sperm from donor male. Resulting embryos are placed in cryoprotectant and loaded into multiple straws, which are gradually cooled and stored in liquid-phase liquid nitrogen in two separate tanks.

Material needed: Donor male and 8-10 donor females

Timeline: 12-15 weeks

Diagram of Embryo Cryopreservation

Embryonic Stem Cells Cryopreservation:

Not available, yet.

Oocyte Cryopreservation:

Not available, yet.

Cryostorage:

If you have cryopreserved mouse sperm/embryo/oocytes at another institution, we can cryostorage your samples for an annual fee. We do require that the investigator takes charge of shipping costs into our facility, and that thawing and genotyping protocols are submitted to the CIVM.

The CIVM stores all samples in liquid-phase liquid nitrogen tanks (CryoPlus1, ThermoFisher Scientific). Material retrieved from each strain is split between 2 tanks, a main and a backup tank, for redundancy. For additional safety, these 2 tanks are located in two separate buildings at ICR Sutton. Both tanks are continuously monitored by T-scan alarm systems and undergo annual service, as well as daily visual inspections.

 

Sperm Cryorecovery:

Description: Frozen sperm is cryorecovered by IVF, followed by embryo transfer. We can purchase wild-type female oocyte donors of the same genetic background, or alternatively the investigator can provide homozygous oocyte donors of the same strain.

Material needed: straw with frozen sperm and 8 to 12 females for IVF, 7-16 weeks old.

Timeline: 12-15 weeks

Diagram of Sperm Cryorecovery

 

Embryo Cryorecovery:

Description: Frozen 2-cell embryos are thawed and transferred into pseudopregnant females.

Material needed: straw(s) with frozen 2-cell embryos

Timeline: 8-10 week


Oocyte Cryorecovery:

Not available, yet.

 

Mouse rederivation

Description: Mouse rederivation is a process used to produce pathogen-free mouse colonies by removing microbial contaminants from existing lines. The procedure can be performed either through natural mating or in vitro fertilization (IVF):

  • In natural mating, embryos are obtained from donor mice and transferred into pathogen-free recipient females.
  • In IVF-based rederivation, fertilized embryos are created in vitro using gametes from donor mice and then implanted into clean recipient females.

Both methods effectively eliminate pathogens, allowing safe importation of mouse strains from lower health-status facilities into the ICR BSU. Samples from both litter and recipient mother will be sent for Health Screening and the associated costs will be charged separately to the Investigator.

Material needed: For IVF-based rederivation we require the investigator to provide 2 males, reproductively active, 12-25 weeks old, and the CIVM will purchase wild-type female egg-donors. Alternatively, if maintaining homozygosity is essential, the investigator will need to provide additional 6-10 females, 7-16 weeks old.

Timeline: 12-15 week

Mouse Rederivation Mating Diagram

Mouse Rederivation IVF diagram

We are currently setting up CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing protocols. Soon, you’ll be able to apply for projects that involve developing new alleles based on:

  • Knockout by indel formation
  • Knockout by precise deletion
  • Conditional knockout
  • Knock-in of point mutations
  • Knock-in of small tags
  • Large knock-in
  • Exon replacement

These alleles will be developed based on Electroporation of Microinjection of CRISPR/Cas9 system reagents.

We will collaborate with you to design the best strategy and help you generate the genetically engineered mice you need for your project. 

We also provide:

  • Development of humanised mouse strains
  • Development of Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and organoid models

Latest ICR News

25/11/25

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has received the highest national honour in UK further and higher education for its pioneering radiotherapy research.

The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education (formerly the Queen’s Anniversary Prize) recognise the radiotherapy research programme at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), which has significantly improved patient treatment, and delivered benefits to healthcare systems and economies in the UK and around the world.

The Prizes, first awarded in 1994, reflect the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong dedication to education, and this marks the ICR’s third time receiving the award.

The Queen Elizabeth Prizes acknowledge the significant contribution that the ICR has made in revolutionising cancer care by pioneering advanced radiotherapy techniques and leading clinical trials that have improved patient outcomes, reduced costs, and shaped global treatment standards.

Radiotherapy is the cornerstone of cancer treatment

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, contributing to nearly half of all cancer cures and improving quality of life for up to 60 per cent of patients. Scientists at the ICR, working in close partnership with colleagues at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, have played a part in some of the most pivotal developments in radiotherapy research by integrating biological and medical physics research with clinical practice. The honour focuses on how these discoveries have improved the lives of people with cancer by:

A recognition of outstanding work

Much of the research recognised by the award was funded by the ICR itself, government funding bodies including the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at The Royal Marsden and The ICR and the charity Cancer Research UK.

The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education are granted every two years by The Monarch in recognition of outstanding work by UK colleges and universities.

To qualify, an institution must produce high-quality innovative work that benefits the public in a distinctive way.

Experts, specialists and organisations across the UK are involved in the independent review process, which takes several months. The Awards Council of the Trust considers a shortlist of entries, and The Monarch approves a final list of recommended institutions, on the Prime Minister’s advice.

The ICR was previously recognised with Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education in 2017 and 2023 for its outstanding contribution to the discovery of new cancer drugs and for innovative work in breast cancer research, including in radiotherapy.

‘This award is a powerful recognition of decades of collaborative laboratory and clinical research’

Professor Kevin Harrington, Head of the Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:

"This award is a powerful recognition of the decades of collaborative laboratory and clinical research that have transformed radiotherapy into the highly targeted, personalised treatment that it is today. I’m extremely proud of the role our scientists and clinicians have played in developing techniques and trials that are now improving outcomes for patients across the globe."

Dr Alison Tree, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and Reader in Uro-oncology Clinical Trials at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:

"We are delighted that this award recognises not only our research but also the vital role of education in advancing cancer care. The Royal Marsden and the ICR have a unique partnership that combines world-class clinical expertise with academic excellence. With the methodology leadership from the ICR’s Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit we have delivered landmark trials while training and inspiring the next generation of oncologists. It’s wonderful to see the impact of this collaboration celebrated at the highest level."

Professor Kristian Helin, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:

“We are honoured to receive a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education, which recognises the worldwide impact of our research advances in radiotherapy. This recognition reflects our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and ensuring that scientific discovery delivers real- benefit for patients around the world."

Sir Damon Buffini, Chair of The Royal Anniversary Trust said:

 “The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education celebrate the power of education to change the world for the better. This much-loved national honour recognises, at the highest level of state, outstanding work in UK universities and colleges, and the remarkable benefit they bring to our economy, society and the wider world. This year we are delighted to honour 19 institutions whose work offers an inspiring snapshot of the excellent and innovative work going on in universities and colleges across the UK. Congratulations all.”