The Taconic-Cyagen Academic Model Generation Alliance
Developed specifically for academic researchers, the Taconic-Cyagen Academic Model Generation Alliance
(The Alliance) has capabilities to ensure the success of any project. The Alliance provides specially-tailored products
and services for the academic and non-profit markets. By leveraging Taconic Biosciences' 65+ years of rodent model
experience and Cyagen Biosciences' streamlined processes and competitive pricing, we can provide customers with the
best and most competitive solutions for their projects.
The Complete Solution
At Taconic Biosciences, we understand the complexity of custom model generation and the importance of maintaining
quality standards. The development of The Alliance has come from the need to provide non-profit researchers with
reliable model generation services that are tailored to non-profit budget constraints and address the challenges arising
from post-model import quarantine. Explore both our capabilities and flexible import and delivery options below:
Integration from Start to Finish
 | Fast Project Scoping The Alliance can leverage AI-powered processes to generate quotes for your project in as quickly as
2 business days.
|  | Cost Effective, Guaranteed Model Generation Each project with The Alliance comes with the added confidence of a guaranteed deliverable to
facilitate discovery. We are also aware of the budgetary constraints non-profit researchers may face
and aim to maximize the value of each project.
|
 | Comprehensive Capabilities The Alliance provides researchers with access to a comprehensive toolkit of technologies, including
but not limited to: CRISPR/Cas9, transgenic technology, PiggyBac, and embryonic stem cell
(ESC)-based homologous recombination (HR).
|  | Flexible Delivery Options With a variety of delivery and rederivation options, The Alliance can deliver your model to your
vivarium without the need for quarantine no matter your vivarium's restrictions*.
|
 Access to Accelerated Timelines With the ability to rapidly generate age matched cohorts of 20-40+ animals at any Taconic health standard, The
Alliance can drastically reduce time spent on conventional breeding strategies.
|
Turn-key Experience From Design to Delivery
Seamless Integration Meets Flexible Solutions for Optimizing Your Research
 | You first meet with your Taconic partner to present your ideas for a
genetically engineered model. We then return with a complete design and proposal. Taconic's model
design specialists are also available for consultation. Once we are aligned on the best solution, we
are ready when you are to move forward with your project. |
 | Your model is generated at Cyagen's facilities with project updates
being provided directly by your Cyagen project manager. Your Cyagen project manager will serve as
your point of contact ensuring you have direct communication during model generation. |
 | Once your model is completed, your model will ship from Cyagen to
Taconic's facilities where it will then undergo one of three customer selected options:
RapidRELAY™, RapidCHECK™, or RapidEXPANSION™, depending on your requirements of
your institutional vivarium. Your Cyagen project manager will introduce you to Taconic's logistic
team who will assist in the final coordination of shipping your model. |
| |  |  |
| Option A: RapidRELAY™ projects — your animals are shipped directly to
your vivarium without additional testing, with animals carrying Cyagen's Select Pathogen Free (SPF)
health status. | Option B: RapidCHECK™ project — your animals undergo validation, health
testing at Taconic thereby verifying their SPF status from Cyagen, and allowing for importation
without quarantine*. | Option C: RapidEXPANSION™ projects — your animals are rederived to one
of Taconic's International Health Monitoring System™ (IHMS™) health standards using
Taconic's RapidEXPANSION™ technology, reducing time to cohort and guaranteeing a commercial
grade heath standard. |
Capabilities
Knockouts (KO)
Constitutive knockouts can be quickly generated utilizing Cyagen's TurboKnockout® embryonic stem cell (ESC) based
technology providing ESC based models at timelines comparable to CRISPR-based models. CRISPR is also available, with
AI-based bioinformatic analysis driving identification of the optimal region to target.
Conditional Knockouts and Knock-ins (cKO/cKI)
Conditional knockouts and knock-ins can also be quickly generated using TurboKnockout®. With a germline guarantee
and self-deleting selection cassette, TurboKnockout® accelerates traditional ESC based model generation.
Point Mutation Knock-ins
Point mutations can be quickly generated via CRISPR/Cas9 or Cyagen's accelerated ESC based method, TurboKnockout®,
enabling more complex point mutations and/or genetic modifications.
Large Fragment Knock-ins (LFKI)
Rosa26 and other safe harbor loci can be targeted for large fragment knock-ins using a variety of methodologies to
ensure your studies are not limited by technology or capability. With the ability to perform LFKI at any locus, the only
limit to your studies is your ingenuity.
Transgenics
With the capability to generate both traditional and PiggyBac-based transgenics, The Alliance can provide your research
with cost-effective transgenic models with the ability to avoid gene silencing with single-copy-per-integration-site,
and no loss of transgene sequence when using PiggyBac.
TruIMPORT™ — Three Unique Options for Importing Your New Genetically Engineered Model
TruIMPORT™ is a novel service offered by The Alliance that removes concerns with importing your model into your
home facility. There are three options available as part of this portfolio of services: RapidRELAY™, RapidCHECK™, and
RapidEXPANSION™. We understand the challenges that non-profit researchers can experience when importing models into
their facilities and have designed this suite of delivery options to address common barriers to importation.
Which Importation Method is Right for You?
| Considerations and
Benefits | RapidRELAY™ | RapidCHECK™ | RapidEXPANSION™ |
| Animals are unpacked and reviewed by Taconic's trained
technicians upon arrival from Cyagen | | | |
| Includes a health report from Cyagen only prior to
shipment to US | | | |
| Allows import of animals within 3 weeks of arrival from
Cyagen | | | |
| Animal health report is reviewed by Taconic veterinarian
| | | |
| Includes a health monitoring report on animals
post-arrival from Cyagen | | | |
Removes the need for quarantine at customer's home
facility*
(please refer to health testing and exclusion list) | | | |
Excludes all bacterial, viral and parasitic
pathogens*
(please refer to health testing and exclusion list) | | | |
| Provides opportunity to expand the number of animals in
model generation deliverable | | | |
| Provides age matched cohorts | | | |
| Eligible for shipment on a Taconic fleet truck | | | |
| Eligible for downstream breeding in a Taconic Barrier
| | | |
| Guaranteed exclusion of MKPV | | | |
The Alliance has developed multiple comprehensive documents to further explain our services. Included in these are
details on project flow, a review of the TruIMPORT™ options, and a comprehensive Health Testing and Exclusions
list. This table, located in the TruIMPORT™ flyer, is an essential guide for veterinarians and vivarium staff that
clarifies the exclusion, tolerance, and testing of pathogens for each delivery option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
RapidEXPANSION™ provides rederivation of your animals at a high commercial grade, Taconic
IHMS™ health standard while RapidCHECK™ and RapidRELAY™ do not. While
RapidCHECK™ does validate the health status of your animals, both RapidCHECK™ and
RapidRELAY™ provide your animals at Cyagen's SPF health status. To ensure delivery without
quarantine, please discuss these options as well as our excluded/tolerated pathogen list with your
vivarium/veterinarian.
RapidCHECK™ is a 7 week process where Taconic will receive your animals from Cyagen; collect
samples (fur swab, fur pluck, fecal pellets); perform testing by PCR and OPTI-Spot; and subsequently
ship your animals to your vivarium following review and acceptance of testing data.
Once your animals are ready for shipment a member of Taconic's logistics team will reach out to
arrange shipment. Should you be unable to receive your animals within 7 days, a weekly holding
charge will be assessed until you can take delivery. If you anticipate not being able to take
delivery of your animals (e.g., IACUC protocol still under review), please let us know so we can
discuss options to ensure your receive your animals as soon as possible without additional fees.
Request a consultation for custom model design.
* Please check and confirm with your vivarium and veterinarian to confirm which delivery method allows for
importation without quarantine into your facilities.
Download our related Flyer:
TruIMPORT™