Jackson Laboratory

Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a foundational mission to discover precise genomic solutions for disease. It is a world leader in mammalian genetics research, renowned for its development, curation, and distribution of thousands of genetically defined mouse models. The institution's work spans basic genomics and computational biology to translational research aimed at advancing personalized medicine and human health.

History

The institution was founded in 1929 in Bar Harbor, Maine by the geneticist and former University of Michigan president Clarence Cook Little. Its original purpose was to use inbred mouse strains to study the genetic basis of cancer and other diseases, a novel approach at the time. A devastating fire in 1947 destroyed much of the original campus, but recovery efforts, supported by donations from organizations like the American Cancer Society, led to significant rebuilding and expansion. Throughout the mid-20th century, it became the global hub for mouse genetics, formalizing its role as a central repository for laboratory mouse strains. Major expansion occurred in the 21st century with the establishment of a second major campus in Farmington, Connecticut, and the launch of large-scale initiatives like The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Research programs

Research is organized into multidisciplinary centers focusing on complex diseases and biological systems. Major areas include cancer research, with programs investigating leukemia, breast cancer, and metastasis through genetically engineered models. The neuroscience program studies Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, and neurodegeneration using advanced mouse models and neuroimaging. A core focus is mammalian genetics, exploring fundamental principles of gene regulation, inheritance, and genomic variation. The computational biology and bioinformatics division develops algorithms and resources for analyzing large-scale genomic data from projects like the Mouse Genome Database. Additional programs are dedicated to aging, immunology, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

Notable discoveries and contributions

Its scientists have made seminal contributions to biomedical science, including the pioneering work on the major histocompatibility complex and histocompatibility genes by George Snell, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1980. Researchers were instrumental in developing the first inbred strains of mice, which became universal tools for genetic research. The laboratory established and maintains the foundational resource for the global research community: the Mouse Genome Informatics database and the repository of over 11,000 genetically defined JAX Mice strains. Its work has been central to identifying genes associated with Huntington's disease, cystic fibrosis, and numerous cancers, providing critical models for drug testing and therapeutic development.

Facilities and resources

The main campus is located in Bar Harbor, Maine, adjacent to Acadia National Park, with a second major research facility at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut. Core facilities include state-of-the-art genome sequencing technologies, cryopreservation archives for mouse strains, and high-throughput phenotyping suites. It operates the Mouse Genome Database and the International Mouse Strain Resource, which are essential tools for the global genetics community. The Charles River Laboratories partnership facilitates large-scale distribution of mouse models to academic, government, and pharmaceutical industry researchers worldwide. Additional resources include advanced biobanks and shared scientific service centers in imaging, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry.

Education and outreach

The institution is deeply committed to training the next generation of scientists through programs like the Summer Student Program, which has trained thousands of undergraduates since the 1920s, including future Nobel Prize winners. It offers advanced training through postdoctoral fellowships and specialized courses in mouse genetics and genomics for researchers from around the world. Outreach includes the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative, which brings knowledge of precision oncology to community hospitals across Maine. The laboratory also engages the public through science education programs with local schools and public lectures, demystifying complex genetics and promoting STEM literacy.