The ILSXISS recombinant inbred (RI) strains are used to study the genetics of neurogenetic, neuropharmacological and behavioral phenotypes involved in alcohol-related traits including ethanol-induced loss of righting, psychomotor activation, hypothermia, blood ethanol concentration at wakening and numerous morphometric CNS traits as well as complex or potentially complex physiologic phenotypes including differences in longevity under ad libitum and dietary restriction conditions, aging, body temperature and body weight.

The strain distribution pattern (SDP) for the ILSXISS RI strains is available through Gene Network. Additional tools and information are presented through the Mouse Phenome Database Specialized Strain Panel Query Form, and Gene Network.

The ILSXISS#/Tej (formerly LXS) recombinant inbred lines were generated from crosses between ILS/Ibg (Inbred Long Sleep)(009324) and ISS/Ibg(Inbred Short Sleep) (009325). These two progenitor strains were developed from the LS and SS selected lines derived from a heterogenous stock derived from an 8 way cross (A, AKR, BALB/c, C3H/2, C57BL, DBA/2, IS/Bi and RIII) created at the Cancer Research Genetics Laboratory at the University of California, Berkley. ILS and ISS are the product of inbreeding LS and SS, lines selected for long or short duration of loss-of-righting response following high dose intraperitoneal administration of ethanol.

The ILSXISS set was initiated in the laboratory of John DeFries and colleagues at the Institute of Behavioral Genetics, Boulder CO in 1996. Crosses at the F2 generation ensured that the Y chromosome and mitochondrial genes were randomly segregating. Three hundred-thirty MIT markers were used for screening. Seventy-seven RI strains reached the 22nd generation of inbreeding, however, since that time, a number have become extinct. Approximately 65 lines and the progenitors were donated to The Jackson Laboratory Repository in 2009 by Dr. Thomas E. Johnson and Dr. Jerry Stitzel at the University of Colorado, Boulder.