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Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information
Published on: August 15, 2019
Mary Shimoyama1, Jennifer R Smith1, Elizabeth Bryda1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rat Genome Database, Department of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado. Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This article reviews the current state of rat research, highlighting how advanced genetic tools and comprehensive databases support the use of rats as a primary model for understanding human disease and testing new medical treatments.
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Area of Science:
Background:
No prior work had fully synthesized the evolution of rat-based research tools alongside the massive expansion of genomic data. Scientists often struggle to navigate the diverse array of available genetic resources and databases. Prior research has shown that rats serve as a highly effective mammalian system for investigating complex biological pathways. That uncertainty drove the need for a consolidated overview of modern rat model capabilities. It was already known that the reference genome release initiated a new era of high-throughput analysis. This gap motivated the current review to categorize the infrastructure supporting contemporary investigations. Researchers require clear guidance on how these technological advancements translate into actionable experimental designs. The following sections detail how these resources facilitate the discovery and validation of novel therapeutic compounds.
Purpose Of The Study:
The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the resources available for modern rat-based research. This review addresses the challenge of navigating the vast landscape of genomic data and physical model repositories. The authors seek to clarify how technological progress has transformed the utility of the rat as a mammalian system. This work motivates the integration of diverse databases to improve the efficiency of disease modeling. The researchers intend to highlight the connection between advanced sequencing and the development of precision models. They address the need for investigators to access sophisticated software tools for their daily experimental requirements. This study explains how these resources support the discovery and validation of new therapeutic compounds. The authors provide a roadmap for utilizing these assets to enhance the quality of translational health research.
Main Methods:
Review Approach framing involves a systematic survey of current genetic infrastructure and data repositories. The authors evaluate the impact of sequencing technologies on the availability of strain-specific information. This assessment focuses on how digital tools integrate with physical model distribution centers. The researchers analyze the utility of various databases in supporting large-scale genomic investigations. They examine the role of gene editing protocols in expanding the diversity of available mammalian strains. The study synthesizes information from multiple international projects to provide a comprehensive overview. This approach highlights the connectivity between software platforms and experimental validation pipelines. The authors categorize these resources based on their specific contributions to the field of translational medicine.
Main Results:
Key Findings From the Literature indicate that the 2004 reference genome release catalyzed the sequencing of over two dozen individual strains. These analyses successfully identified more than 80 million variants across the rat population. The authors report that these genomic advancements have enabled the creation of hundreds of new, selectively edited strains. The literature confirms that the rat remains the second most utilized model organism in global biomedical research. Findings show that specialized databases like PhenoGen provide critical support for interpreting complex phenotypic data. The evidence demonstrates that the integration of stem cell protocols with genome modification has significantly increased research flexibility. Results indicate that international projects, such as the National BioResource Project, are vital for maintaining high-quality model stocks. The synthesis shows that the combination of these resources facilitates the rapid discovery and testing of new therapeutic compounds.
Conclusions:
The authors suggest that the integration of diverse genetic resources remains vital for future biomedical breakthroughs. Synthesis and Implications framing indicates that the rat model will continue to support complex disease modeling efforts. Investigators can leverage these sophisticated software tools to enhance the precision of their experimental outcomes. The review highlights that the availability of multiple genome strains provides a robust foundation for comparative studies. Researchers propose that the ongoing development of editing techniques will further expand the utility of these mammalian systems. The authors conclude that the synergy between data repositories and physical model centers optimizes research efficiency. This synthesis confirms that the rat remains a primary tool for translating genetic findings into human health improvements. The evidence supports the continued investment in these comprehensive databases to maintain high-quality scientific progress.
The researchers propose that the combination of high-throughput sequencing and targeted genome modification allows for the creation of hundreds of specialized strains. This mechanism enables investigators to study specific disease pathways with unprecedented precision compared to traditional methods.
The authors profile several key infrastructure components, including the Rat Genome Database and the Gene Editing Rat Resource Center. These platforms provide investigators with access to comprehensive datasets and physical models that are not available through standard commercial suppliers.
The authors note that the 2004 reference genome was a technical necessity for all subsequent strain sequencing. This foundational map allows for the accurate identification of over 80 million variants, which would be impossible without a standardized reference point.
The authors describe how genomic data serves as a blueprint for selecting specific strains for disease modeling. This information allows scientists to match genetic profiles with human health conditions, ensuring that the chosen model accurately reflects the targeted biological phenomenon.
The authors report that over 1.4 million publications document discoveries using this model. This measurement demonstrates the rat's position as the second most utilized organism in biomedical literature, trailing only human-based studies in total volume.
The researchers propose that the continued development of embryonic stem cell protocols will allow for even more sophisticated genetic manipulations. This implication suggests that future studies will achieve higher levels of biological accuracy than currently possible with existing methods.