Research on animal model organisms funded by the European Commission's framework programmes

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research
• Genetics
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Model organisms are vital for understanding human disease mechanisms and developing therapeutic strategies.
• The European Commission has significantly invested in model organism research since 2002.
• Continued financial support is planned to advance biomedical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the European Commission's investment in model organism research.
• To showcase the role of various model organisms (vertebrates and invertebrates) in disease research.
• To emphasize the generation of freely available data and resources.

Main Methods:

• Focus on animal model organisms: rodents (mouse, rat), zebrafish, frog, and nematodes.
• Includes research on non-animal model organisms: yeast, bacteria, and plants.
• Analysis of European Commission-funded collaborative research projects.

Main Results:

• Significant financial investment (euro180 million since 2002) in model organism research.
• Structuring of the European research landscape and knowledge base for health and disease.
• Generation of valuable, freely accessible data and animal resources.

Conclusions:

• European Commission-funded model organism research is critical for advancing biomedical science.
• These projects provide essential knowledge for understanding basic cellular processes and disease.
• The generated resources will accelerate progress in developing safe and effective treatments for human diseases.