Model organisms

What is the main difference between conventional gene knockout and conditional gene knockout?

Conventional gene knockout involves the complete deletion of a gene, whereas conditional gene knockout allows for the controlled expression of a gene in a specific cell type or at a specific time point, usually in adulthood.

What is the purpose of backcrossing knockout mice onto a wildtype mouse?

To ensure the rest of the genome matches the parent strain, which is used as a control.

What is the difference between C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mouse strains in terms of their susceptibility to allergic airway inflammation?

C57Bl/6 is generally considered a Th1-skewed strain, whereas BALB/c is regarded as a Th2-skewed strain

What is the purpose of the Cre-LoxP system in reporter mice?

To selectively turn on (or off) the expression of a specific gene in a particular cell type. Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using conditional gene knockout over conventional gene knockout in studying disease mechanisms?

Conditional gene knockout allows for the study of genes that are essential for development, but are also involved in disease mechanisms, whereas conventional gene knockout would result in non-viable mice. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adoptive transfer in mouse research, and how does it facilitate the tracking of different cell types?

Adoptive transfer allows researchers to transfer the immune system of one mouse into another, enabling the tracking of different cell types, such as into a tumor, by using techniques like GFP-labelled immune cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between conventional and conditional knockout mice, and what are the advantages of conditional knockout strains?

Conventional knockout mice are missing a gene in every cell of the body, while conditional knockout mice are missing a gene in specific cells or tissues. Conditional knockout strains offer control over the timing of gene knockout and tissue specificity. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Cre/LoxP system enable researchers to investigate the role of specific cells in disease conditions?

The Cre/LoxP system, also known as reporter mice, allows researchers to selectively mark specific cells and track their behavior in disease conditions, providing insights into their role and impact. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of CRISPR/Cas9 system in mouse research, and how does it compare to traditional knockout techniques?

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a precise and efficient gene editing tool that allows researchers to edit specific genes in mice, offering an advantage over traditional knockout techniques, which can be time-consuming and imprecise. Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using mouse models to investigate the role of specific cells in disease conditions, and how do they compare to human models?

Mouse models offer a controlled and manipulable system for investigating the role of specific cells in disease conditions, allowing researchers to test hypotheses and understand disease mechanisms, which can be difficult to achieve in human models. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using Balb/c mice as models for antibody-driven diseases?

They develop a more robust humoral immune response. Signup and view all the answers

Why are C57/Bl6 mice preferred for studying infectious diseases?

They develop more robust cell-mediated responses to bacteria and parasites. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a scientist to work with protected experimental animals in the UK?

A personal licence, which involves about 1 week of training and several exams. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of project licenses in the UK?

They describe all the procedures, including scientific justification and expected outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

How do the immune responses of C57/Bl6 and Balb/c mice differ?

C57/Bl6 mice develop more robust cell-mediated responses, while Balb/c mice develop a more robust humoral immune response. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major ethical concern related to using Balb/c mice in research?

They do not handle infection well, which raises concerns about animal welfare. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the high degree of similarity in transcription factor networks between mouse and human genomes, and how does it contribute to the use of mice as model organisms?

The similarity in transcription factor networks suggests that mice can be used to study human gene regulation and gene expression, allowing researchers to gain insights into human biology and disease mechanisms. This similarity, combined with the ease of handling and breeding of mice, makes them an attractive model organism for studying human diseases. Signup and view all the answers

How do genetic manipulation techniques in mice, such as gene knockout, facilitate the study of immune system disorders and what are the advantages of using mice in this context?

Genetic manipulation techniques, such as gene knockout, allow researchers to create mice with specific genetic mutations, mimicking human immune system disorders. The advantages of using mice in this context include their rapid breeding, ease of handling, and cost-effectiveness, which enable researchers to study the underlying mechanisms of immune system disorders in a more efficient and controlled manner. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of using GFP-labelled immune cells in tumour cell tracking and what insights does it provide into the mechanisms of tumour development and progression?

GFP-labelled immune cells allow researchers to track the movement and behaviour of immune cells in tumours, providing insights into the mechanisms of tumour development and progression. This enables researchers to study the interactions between immune cells and tumour cells, and to develop targeted therapies. Signup and view all the answers

How does the adoptive transfer of immune cells in mice facilitate the study of immune cell function and what are the advantages of using this approach?

Adoptive transfer of immune cells in mice allows researchers to study the function of specific immune cells in a controlled and isolated manner, enabling them to elucidate the mechanisms of immune cell function and to develop targeted therapies. The advantages of using this approach include the ability to study the effects of specific immune cells on disease outcomes and to develop personalized therapies. Signup and view all the answers

How do mouse models of chronic lung disease facilitate the study of immune cell function and what insights do they provide into the mechanisms of disease?

Mouse models of chronic lung disease allow researchers to study the mechanisms of immune cell function and the interactions between immune cells and the lung environment in a controlled and reproducible manner. These models provide insights into the mechanisms of disease, including the role of specific immune cells and the effects of environmental factors on disease outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics make Drosophila a suitable model organism for studying human biology and diseases?

Small physical size, small genome size, short generation time, short life cycle, high fertility rate, and high mutation rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of conserved genes in model organisms, and how does it relate to their position in the evolutionary tree?

Conserved genes are shared across species, and organisms closer in the evolutionary tree have more similar genes, making them suitable for studying human biology and diseases Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 60% shared genetic code between humans and Drosophila, and how does it facilitate the use of Drosophila as a model organism?

The 60% shared genetic code allows for the study of human diseases and biological processes in Drosophila, making it a suitable model organism Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the wild type strain of Drosophila in lab studies, and how does it differ from other strains?

The wild type strain is a standardized control strain used in labs to compare with other strains, allowing for the study of specific traits and diseases Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the male and female wild type strains of Drosophila, and how do they differ from each other?

Males are smaller in size and have a block black part on the tail, while females are bigger and have black strips on the tail Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the life cycle of Drosophila, including the stages of egg, larva, pupa, and adult, in understanding its biology and behavior?

The life cycle of Drosophila allows for the study of its development, behavior, and physiology, making it a suitable model organism for human biology and diseases Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism?

Small generation time, small life span, easily cultivated, few cells, amenable to genetic analysis, conserved genes and cellular processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the invariant cell lineage in Caenorhabditis elegans?

Every worm has the exact same number of somatic cells that arise by invariant cell lineage, and cell death is also programmed into lineage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of forward and reverse genetics in studying gene function in Caenorhabditis elegans?

Forward genetics: studying mutant phenotype to identify gene; Reverse genetics: studying phenotype using information about the gene. Signup and view all the answers

How does the life cycle of Caenorhabditis elegans facilitate its use as a model organism?

Eggs develop outside uterus, adult hatching L1, L2, L3, and L4 young adults, and ability to freeze and resume development. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the body systems in Caenorhabditis elegans?

C.elegans has body systems such as Epidermal, Digestive, Reproductive, Nervous, Muscular, and Excretory systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using Caenorhabditis elegans to study developmental biology and cell biology?

Small generation time, conserved genes and cellular processes, and ability to tag and study specific cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the dauer stage in Caenorhabditis elegans?

A stage that can be induced under extreme conditions, allowing the worm to survive for up to 4 months and resume development when conditions are favorable. Signup and view all the answers