Animal models in genomic research: Techniques, applications, and roles for nurses

Abstract

Animal research has been conducted by scientists for over two millennia resulting in a better understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology, as well as testing of novel therapies. In the molecular genomic era, pre-clinical models represent a key tool for understanding the genomic underpinnings of health and disease and are relevant to precision medicine initiatives. Nurses contribute to improved health by collecting and translating evidence from clinically relevant pre-clinical models. Using animal models, nurses can ask questions that would not be feasible or ethical to address in humans, and establish the safety and efficacy of interventions before translating them to clinical trials. Two advantages of using pre-clinical models are reduced variability between test subjects and the opportunity for precisely controlled experimental exposures. Standardized care controls the effects of diet and environment, while the availability of inbred strains significantly reduces the confounding effects of genetic differences. Outside the laboratory, nurses can contribute to the approval and oversight of animal studies, as well as translation to clinical trials and, ultimately, patient care. This review is intended as a primer on the use of animal models to advance nursing science; specifically, the paper discusses the utility of preclinical models for studying the pathophysiologic and genomic contributors to health and disease, testing interventions, and evaluating effects of environmental exposures. Considerations specifically geared to nurse researchers are also introduced, including discussion of how to choose an appropriate model and controls, potential confounders, as well as legal and ethical concerns. Finally, roles for nurse clinicians in pre-clinical research are also highlighted.

The Regenerative Horizon: Opportunities for Nursing Research and Practice

“…Nursing research developed for the express purpose of generating knowledge and profi ciency to inform science-based practice, regardless of educational preparation and expertise in regenerative technologies, is important (see Figure 2 ). Nursing science in regenerative research consists of a spectrum of activities including collection and interventional translation of evidence from clinically relevant preclinical models, followed by design and implementation of clinical trials focused on salient patient outcomes, evaluation of study quality including treatment fi delity monitoring, and establishment of validated safety and effi cacy datasets including patient-centered outcomes and quality of life (Osier, Pham, Savarese, Sayles, & Alexander, 2016 ;Santacroce, Leeman, & Song, 2018 ). Designing databases that include common data elements (CDEs) and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments can serve as a global repository for measures and outcomes in regenerative health care.…”