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Introduction to the Laboratory Mouse Program is a Program

Introduction to the Laboratory Mouse Program

Self-paced

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Full program description

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About our Education Offerings

Founded in 1929, The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with more than 2,300 employees who are passionate about our mission: to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and to empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

While we are not an accredited higher education institution, we offer a variety of education programs — including our non-credit bearing MiniCourses — designed to educate current and future scientists and to provide critical resources, data, tools and services to researchers worldwide.

MiniCourses are created and reviewed by multiple JAX faculty, scientists, educators and other experts, and include interactive content based on the live lectures delivered in our on-campus Courses, Conferences and Workshops.

MiniCourses are available to learners individually and in topical program collections, which are organized around both foundational content and the research areas in which The Jackson Laboratory has earned a reputation for scientific leadership and excellence.


The Introduction to the Laboratory Mouse Certificate Program includes three MiniCourses that cover foundational content, each of which is self-paced and takes 3 to 5 hours to complete:

  • History and Development of the Mouse Model System:  Provides a history of laboratory mouse strains and classical 19th century genetics; introduces The Jackson Laboratory's role in the development of the inbred mouse.
  • Basics of Mouse Genetics:  Provides a review of Mendelian genetics and meiosis, prepares learners to identify mouse strains and mating schemes for genetic resources and interpret nomenclature.
  • Reproductive Biology of the Laboratory Mouse:  Prepares learners to describe the reproductive characteristics, basic anatomy, connections to human fertility, and ethical considerations with respect to the laboratory mouse.

You can also receive digital badges and Course Completion Certificates for each of the MiniCourses you complete.

This program is designed to meet the needs of graduate and post-doctoral students, research assistants, advanced undergraduate students, and advanced animal care technicians.


Hardware and Software Requirements

  • Audio speakers or headphones
  • Screen resolution of 800X600 or higher
  • Adobe Reader 5.0 or higher
  • JavaScript enabled
  • 1GB of RAM
  • 2GHz processor


Check the basic computer specifications and supported browsers.


Should you have questions regarding the content of the Certificate Program or if you need technical support, please email Online and Digital Education at The Jackson Laboratory.