A scalable two-step genome editing strategy for generating full-length gene-humanized mice at diverse genomic loci

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Authors: Jumpei Taguchi, Mio Kikuchi, HyoJung Jeon, Ryo Shimizu, Hideto Mori, Masahito Ikawa, Yasuhiro Yamada, Kei Sato, Terumasa Ikeda, Satoshi Yamazaki, Manabu Ozawa
Cited by: 2
References: 68

Abstract

Full-length gene-humanized mice engineered by completely replacing mouse loci with human counterparts, including untranslated and regulatory regions, provide a robust in vivo platform for human gene function studies. However, reliably humanizing large genomic regions remains challenging due to limited DNA insert sizes, complex protocols, and specialized material requirements. This study introduces a streamlined approach that enables full-length gene humanization through two sequential CRISPR-assisted homologous recombination steps in embryonic stem cells. This method supports targeted knock-in of genomic fragments ( > 200 kbp) and is applicable across multiple mouse strains. Humanized alleles generated using the developed method recapitulate human-like splicing isoforms and organ-specific gene expression while restoring essential functions in hematopoiesis, spermatogenesis, and survival. Furthermore, disease-associated mutations can be engineered into humanized alleles to model human genetic disorders in vivo. This versatile platform enables the creation of physiologically relevant, fully gene-humanized mouse models for broad applications in biomedical research. Humanized mice bearing full-length human genes recapitulate human biology but are challenging to generate. Here, the authors develop TECHNO, a twostep CRISPR–ES cell method that efficiently replaces mouse loci with >200-kbp human orthologs, enabling versatile in vivo disease modeling.

Fields of Study & Subjects

CRISPR and Genetic Engineering Pluripotent Stem Cells Research Animal Genetics and Reproduction

Publication details

Journal / source
Nature Communications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
17
Issue
1
Pages
356–356
Publication date
14 January 2026
Language
EN