Beyond the petri dish: Model organisms in non-clinical exploration

Abstract

Animal models have been integral to scientific research for decades, offering invaluable insights into complex biological processes, advancing medical knowledge, and aiding the development of new treatments. This review explores the significance of animal models in various research fields, emphasizing their biological similarity to humans as a key factor. Animals, ranging from mice and rats to primates, fruit flies, and worms, share fundamental physiological, anatomical, and genetic characteristics with humans, making them crucial proxies for studying diseases and biological pathways. This review underscores the essential role of animal models in preclinical research, particularly in evaluating drug candidates for safety, efficacy, and potential side effects before human trials. The controlled experimental environment provided by animal models allows researchers to manipulate variables, isolate factors, and establish cause-and-effect relationships, enhancing the understanding of complex genetic disorders.