Discussion

High throughput genetic platforms are vital both for validation of genome wide datasets in the Omics age as well as for the conduction of saturated genetic screens in mammalian systems.
We generated haploid murine embryonic stem cells and developed all genetic tools for forward and reverse genome wide genetics over the last years. This setup now allows for rapid saturating screens combining the power of yeast genetics with the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. A series of screens identified e.g. vital players of stem cell biology, toxin host factors, as well as drug targets. In addition we are setting up Haplobank, an archive of publicly available embryonic stem cell lines with defined mutations, for the study of gene function in development and disease.