Completion of the swine genome will simplify the production of swine as a large animal biomedical model

Abstract

Background: Anatomic and physiological similarities to the human make swine an excellent large animal model for human health and disease. Methods. Cloning from a modified somatic cell, which can be determined in cells prior to making the animal, is the only method available for the production of targeted modifications in swine. Results: Since some strains of swine are similar in size to humans, technologies that have been developed for swine can be readily adapted to humans and vice versa. Here the importance of swine as a biomedical model, current technologies to produce genetically enhanced swine, current biomedical models, and how the completion of the swine genome will promote swine as a biomedical model are discussed. Conclusions: The completion of the swine genome will enhance the continued use and development of swine as models of human health, syndromes and conditions. © 2012 Walters et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.