Model organisms

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.

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

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

To selectively turn on (or off) the expression of a specific gene in a particular cell type.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

They develop a more robust humoral immune response.

They develop more robust cell-mediated responses to bacteria and parasites.

A personal licence, which involves about 1 week of training and several exams.

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

C57/Bl6 mice develop more robust cell-mediated responses, while Balb/c mice develop a more robust humoral immune response.

They do not handle infection well, which raises concerns about animal welfare.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Small physical size, small genome size, short generation time, short life cycle, high fertility rate, and high mutation rate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forward genetics: studying mutant phenotype to identify gene; Reverse genetics: studying phenotype using information about the gene.

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

C.elegans has body systems such as Epidermal, Digestive, Reproductive, Nervous, Muscular, and Excretory systems.

Small generation time, conserved genes and cellular processes, and ability to tag and study specific cells.

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.