Why the need for animal models? Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Why the need for animal models? Deck (13)
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1
Q

Definition - model organism

A

Non-human species extensively studied to understand a biological phenomenon

2
Q

What have been conserved between humans and animal models that make their use possible?

A

Metabolic and developmental pathways are highly conserved

3
Q

Why are particular models chosen?

A

Chance - models prevalent and around at the time
Easy genetic manipulation - mutations easily induced
Short life cycle
Cost - cheap to upkeep
Easy analysis of disease traits
Inbreeding of populations - useful in rapid genomic sequencing and Reduced genetic variation

4
Q

What are the relevant/commonly used models and why are they used?

A

Conservation of metabolic and developmental pathways

FISH, MOUSE, CHICK AND FLY

5
Q

GxE Interactions -relevance? Why important in animal models?

A

GENOTYPES drive development and phenotypes in combination with PHENOTYPES.
Animals can have their genomes sequenced and examined in large numbers

6
Q

GWAs - what are they and what are they used for? Limitations of the technique?

A

Genome wide association studies - SNPs are measured (gene variant in particular part of the genome) in 2 patients with a particular disease. - Genetic cause???
BUT correlation not always causation.

Limitation - don’t show when or where a gene is expressed. Doesn’t show how the protein being coded triggers a disease

7
Q

L.O.F / G.O.F studies - what are they and why are they useful

A

Allows us to decipher the function of a cell or protein product

8
Q

Conditional knockout - how does it work?

A

Transgenic mouse is carrying a floxed allele (allele floxed in EVERY CELL) –> bred with mouse carrying Cre recombinase at a tissue-specific promoter –> bred and gene cut out in that particular tissue.

9
Q

Methods of visualisation of cells and proteins

A

In situ hybridisation (mRNA) and Immunohistochemistry (proteins) - tell us where and when a gene is expressed

10
Q

Reporter lines - what and why important?

A

Can follow an individual line of cells to report their expression. Lines of cells can be visualised IN REAL TIME!!!!!!

11
Q

FASC - Fluorescence activated cell sorting - what is it and what can it tell us?

A

Allows isolation of labelled cells.
Useful after drug administration.
Can tell us: if a cell is proliferating, if a cell is secreting a hormone, if a cell is responding to a signal

12
Q

WHAT HAVE ANIMAL MODELS HELPED US ACHIEVE ?

A
  • Toxicity testing -identification of signalling pathways -identification of abnormal cellular outputs - demonstrated disease progression
13
Q

Whole organisms analysis - what does it allow?

A

Allows understanding of the interactions between different components of an organism