Animal disease model

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Animal disease model

Animal disease model (pronunciation: /ˈænɪməl diːˈziːz ˈmɒdəl/) is a biological model that is used in the study of human disease. These models are often used in preclinical research and serve as a bridge between in vitro studies and human clinical trials.

Etymology

The term "animal disease model" is derived from the words "animal", "disease", and "model". "Animal" comes from the Latin word "animalis", meaning "having breath". "Disease" is derived from the Old French "desaise", meaning "lack of ease". "Model" comes from the Latin "modulus", meaning "measure" or "standard".

Related Terms

  • Biological model: A representation of a biological system to study its structure and function.
  • Preclinical research: Laboratory experiments performed on cells, animals, and animal models before they are conducted on humans.
  • Clinical trials: Research studies performed on humans that aim to evaluate a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention.
  • In vitro: Studies that are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context.
  • In vivo: Experiments that are done in the living organism.

Use in Research

Animal disease models are used in various fields of medical and biological research, including drug development, genetics, and aging studies. They are particularly useful in studying diseases that cannot be ethically or practically studied in humans. For example, animal models are often used in the study of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases.

Types of Animal Disease Models

There are several types of animal disease models, including:

  • Genetically modified organisms: Animals that have been genetically altered to exhibit disease symptoms.
  • Induced models: Animals in which disease is induced by exposure to environmental factors, infection, or other methods.
  • Spontaneous models: Animals that naturally develop diseases similar to human conditions.

Limitations

While animal disease models provide valuable insights into human disease, they also have limitations. These include differences in physiology and disease progression between animals and humans, ethical considerations, and the potential for over-reliance on animal models in research.

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