Model Organisms

A model organism is a system that is simpler than humans is accessible and easily manipulated. Developmental geneticists use model organisms to investigate the processes and genes involved in development. Particular animal model systems have different strengths, and these need to be considered when choosing a particular organism to use.

The ideal characteristics for genetic analysis include smaller organism, short generation time, an increased number of embryos, easy to breed, easy scoring of phenotypes, and a sequenced genome.

The model organism used is selected due to its relevance to other species, ability of experimental manipulation, and the different traits it possesses. The biological insights gained from using model systems have helped to explore potential causes and treatments for human disease,

 One concept that has become aparrant through research using model organisms is that similar genetic regulatory pathways control the normal growth and development of all animals. Many homologous genes are shared between model organisms used in developmental research and humans.  An important feature of this observation is that the knowledge gained from animal model systems can provide fundamental insights to the causes and potential cures for genetic diseases in humans.