Methods and vectors (both DNA and retroviral) are provided for the
construction of a Library of mutated cells. The Library will preferably
contain mutations in essentially all genes present in the genome of the
cells. The nature of the Library and the vectors allow for methods of
screening for mutations in specific genes, and for gathering nucleotide
sequence data from each mutated gene to provide a database of tagged gene
sequences. Such a database provides a means to access the individual
mutant cell clones contained in the Library. The invention includes the
described Library, methods of making the same, and vectors used to
construct the Library. Methods are also provided for accessing individual
parts of the Library either by sequence or by pooling and screening. The
invention also provides for the generation of non-human transgenic
animals which are mutant for specific genes as isolated and generated
from the cells of the Library.