The mouse, a model organism for biomedical research

Abstract

The mouse is a longstanding model organism for human biology and disease because of its relative phylogenetic closeness and physiological similarity to our species. In addition, the ease of maintaining and breeding mice in the laboratory, the availability of many inbred strains, and more importantly the possibility of precisely manipulating the mouse genome, have led to the widespread use of mice as model organisms. The availability of a continuously increasing number of mutants and the possibility of developing complex modifications within the genome make the mouse a very important model organism for studying the effects of genetic mutations in mammals. In this chapter we highlight the importance of analyzing mouse models as useful tools in biomedical research. Our aim is to help the reader gain a general understanding of using the mouse model for studying diverse human conditions, and we also provide guidance on available tools and resources and the selection of the best strategy according to need.