Model Systems in Biology: History, Philosophy, and Practical Concerns

Abstract

"Instead of arguing for a specific animal model, Striedter will review the history and philosophy of animal models in biomedical research, examining their various advantages and limitations"-- Provided by publisher. 1. Crises in Biomedical Research -- 1.1 The Translatability Crisis -- 1.2 The Replicability Crisis -- 1.3 Reckoning with Biological Variation -- 1.4 Which Model Is "Best"? -- 1.5 This Book's Approach and Organization -- 2. Philosophy of Models in Biology -- 2.1 Abstract Models -- 2.2 Material Models -- 2.3 Assumptions about Model Fidelity -- 2.4 Dealing with Biological Complexity -- 2.5 Animal Welfare and Cognitive Dissonance -- 2.6 Comparative Biology and August Krogh Revisited -- 3. A History of Animal Models -- 3.1 Eclectic Beginnings of Biology -- 3.2 Early Experimental Medicine: Research on Pet Species -- 3.3 Fruit Flies: The First Supermodel -- 3.4 Laboratory Rats: The First Standardized Mammals -- 3.5 Laboratory Mice: From Cancer Fighter to Model Organism -- 3.6 Nonhuman Primates -- 3.7 The Rest of the Menagerie -- 3.8 Model System Ecology -- 4. A History of in Vitro Models -- 4.1 Microbial Models -- 4.2 Cell and Tissue Culture Models -- 4.3 Alternative Models in Toxicology -- 4.4 Model Ecology Revisited -- 5. Models and Therapies: Infectious Diseases, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer -- 5.1 Infectious Diseases -- 5.2 Cardiovascular Diseases -- 5.3 Cancers -- 5.4 Patterns of Model Use -- 6. Neurological Disorders: Trials and Tribulations -- 6.1 Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries -- 6.2 Neurodegenerative Disorders -- 6.3 Neuropsychiatric Disorders -- 6.4 Successes, Failures, Hopes -- 7. Diagnosis and Recommendations -- 7.1 Four Perspectives on Models in Biology -- 7.2 Recommendations -- 7.3 Conclusion