generating cell line knockouts

[ALW0012]

Question: Does anyone know if you can generate a cell line knockout in any cell line or does it have to be an embryonic stem cell? If so why?

I'm thinking about doing a series of experiments in HEK 293 cells and would love to KO my gene of interest to determine the effects on cell viability and was wondering if I can do that by homologous recombination. Any thoughts/ answers would be greatly appreciated.

[CharonY]

As long as the cell line replicates (i.e. immortalized cell lines) there is no obvious reasons why knockouts should not work, though some may be less amendable to genetic manipulations.

Edited July 28, 2010 by CharonY