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Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information
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The virtuous cycle of human genetics and mouse models in drug discovery

Joseph H Nadeau1, Johan Auwerx2

  • 1Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA. jnadeau@pnri.org.

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|January 26, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Mouse models are crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and developing treatments, despite some skepticism. Integrating human studies with rigorous animal research accelerates therapeutic discovery.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Developmental Biology
  • Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Comparative Medicine

Background:

  • Phenotypic variation is studied across species to find disease intervention targets.
  • Concerns exist regarding the reliability of drug targets identified in mouse models for human application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence supporting the continued importance of mouse models in biomedical research.
  • To advocate for integrating human observational studies with animal model experiments.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature and evidence.
  • Analysis of contributions from mouse models to understanding genetic principles and disease.

Main Results:

  • Mouse models have made fundamental contributions to genetics, pathogenic mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies.
  • Evidence supports the value of mouse models in biomedical research.

Conclusions:

  • Mouse models remain essential for advancing our understanding of biology and disease.
  • An integrated approach combining human studies and model organism research fosters a cycle of discovery.

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