Mouse model essay - stably inherited trait

[jomaco]

Hi all

 

I have been give a hypothetical situation where a spontaneous mutant mouse was identified with muscle wasting in the limbs. I must discuss how the mouse disorder could be used to study human disorders and I am assuming this relates to muscular dystrophy. I'm not yet sure how to tackle this and which steps to follow but I do know I must first find out if the trait is stably inherited. Which genetic crosses would I have to carry out in order to do this? The spontaneous male mutant could be crossed with a female to see if the trait is still present in some of the offspring but is this all that would have to be done? Is that sufficient proof that the trait is stably inherited?

Hope you can help

Thanks