In the Meis1/Hoxa9 model used here, the FL LSK or c-Kit+ cell populations are transduced with retroviruses expressing Meis1 and Hoxa9 and are serially replated, generating a preleukemic cell population, which, upon transplantation to primary recipients, develops into LICs causing AML. The gene discussed is HOXA9; the disease is acute myeloid leukemia.