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Genome editing Research, Education and Animal genome Targeting (GREAT) Core

The Genome editing Research, Education and Animal genome Targeting (GREAT) Core at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is a leading institutional resource dedicated to advancing genome engineering in biomedical research. The Core supports investigators across disciplines by providing comprehensive services for the design, generation and validation of genetically modified animal models. 

Unlike many mouse genome engineering core facilities, the GREAT Core offers true end-to-end services—from initial model design to the generation and establishment of genotype-confirmed, stable mouse lines. This streamlined approach enables efficient and reproducible animal model development tailored to the specific needs of each research project. 

Our team brings over 25 years of combined experience in directing and managing mouse genome engineering cores, and has developed several widely adopted genome editing technologies, including: 

• Easi-CRISPR (Efficient additions with ssDNA inserts CRISPR) 

• GONAD (Genome editing via Oviductal Nucleic Acids Delivery)

These methods have become foundational tools in the field and are now used extensively by core facilities and research laboratories worldwide. 

Representative Publications: 

• Efficient generation of knock-in mice using a single-stranded DNA donor and CRISPR/Cas9 

• Highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in in mice using long ssDNA donors 

• i-GONAD: in vivo electroporation-based genome editing 

• Genome editing in zygotes without microinjection 

These papers have collectively received over 1,000 citations and have been accessed more than 130,000 times, reflecting their broad impact and adoption in the scientific community.