Expanding our scientific horizons: utilization of unique model organisms in biological research

• Published in: The EMBO journal 2017-08, Vol.36 (16), p.2311-2314
• Main Authors: Peter, Angela K, Crocini, Claudia, Leinwand, Leslie A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal models; Biological activity; Biological effects; Biological research; Commentary; Disorders; EMBO24; Flies; Frogs; Inbreeding; Laboratory animals; Laboratory tests; Life span; Mice; Mutation; Nematodes; Pathogenesis; Rats; Rodents; Studies; System effectiveness; Zebrafish
• ISSN: 0261-4189; 1460-2075
• DOI: 10.15252/embj.201797640

During the past century, research studies using animal models have contributed to numerous scientific discoveries and have been vital for the understanding of numerous biological processes, including disease. Over the past decades, the scientific community has defined a small number of model organisms that includes a few mammals, fish (mainly zebrafish), birds (mainly chicken), frogs, flies, and nematodes. Rodents are by far the most commonly employed laboratory animals in biomedical research. Mice share many biological similarities to humans and can be genetically manipulated to express mutations linked to human diseases. Mice and rats reproduce relatively quickly and have a short life span, which allows scientists to study progressive disorders, including aging. A large range of inbred mice strains enables accurate and reproducible experiments by decreasing the variability often associated with animal models and biological systems in general. Finally, mice are cost‐effective, small, and relatively easy to handle, transport, and house. All of these advantages combine to make mice the major species for recapitulating and studying human diseases. However, focusing exclusively on one or very few animal models may lead researchers to lose sight of other species with vastly different biology that might inform and affect our understanding of disease pathogenesis. Graphical Abstract Animals have evolved diverse strategies to survive in harsh environments, fend off diseases, hunt and incapacitate their prey. Expanding the range of established animal models in research to understand their unique adaptations could yield enormous benefits for understanding and treating human diseases.