How to choose your research organism

Dietrich, Michael; Ankeny, Rachel A.; Crowe, Nathan; Green, Sara; Leonelli, Sabina

doi:10.1016/j.shpsc.2019.101227

Cited by 50 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Indeed, the features that have made the species so well suited as a laboratory subject are likely to significantly constrain the representational scope of research outcomes, and at worst confound our understanding of certain fields of biology. The problem stems from the fact that the key characteristics that make species good subjects for laboratory research [2] set them apart from other species in the taxa that they represent-they are outliers and, as a result, the conclusions that can be drawn from research on them might poorly reflect that branch of biodiversity. For example, it has been argued that the laboratory mouse differs from close relatives in key life history and behavioural traits that adapted them for success as a commensal species and also made them so useful as a laboratory model [19].…”

Section: Research Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A species becomes a model in science when it combines practical properties that facilitate its easy maintenance, rearing and manipulation with characteristics that make it suitable for addressing particular research questions [1,2]. Although not one of the big six model species that have been so influential in modern biology through extensive laboratory research [1], the Zebra Finch is one of the most researched avian species over the past few decades (see Table 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Ecology of the Zebra Finch Makes It a Great Laboratory Model but an Outlier amongst Passerine Birds

Griffith

Ton

Hurley

et al. 2021

Birds

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Zebra Finches have become the most widely researched bird species outside of those used in agricultural production. Their adoption as the avian model of choice is largely down to a number of characteristics that make them easy to obtain and use in captivity. The main point of our paper is that the very characteristics that make the Zebra Finch a highly amenable laboratory model species mean that it is by definition different from many other passerine birds, and therefore not a good general model for many research areas. The Zebra Finch is likely to be particularly resilient to the effects of stress early in life, and is likely to show great flexibility in dealing with a wide variety of conditions later in life. Whilst it is tempting for researchers to turn to species such as the Zebra Finch, that can be the focus of manipulative work in the laboratory, we caution that the findings of such studies may confound our understanding of general avian biology. The Zebra Finch will remain an excellent species for laboratory work, and our paper should help to direct and interpret future work in the laboratory and the field.

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Section: Research Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Ecology of the Zebra Finch Makes It a Great Laboratory Model but an Outlier amongst Passerine Birds

Griffith

Ton

Hurley

et al. 2021

Birds

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“…Preclinical research is important especially for drug discoveries and treatment efficiencies to ensure their safety and efficacy before being applied to humans (Regenberg et al, 2009;Varga et al, 2010;Park and Schaer, 2019). In choosing an animal model for preclinical research, the animal species must have adequate information accessibility, be easily managed (tractable), and has comparative and translational potentials (Dietrich et al, 2020). Generally, an animal species is defined as a model organism based on its comparable physiology and anatomy, genetic homogeneity, and response similarly to treatments as humans (Barré-Sinoussi and Montagutelli, 2015;Swearengen, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Promise of the Zebrafish Model for Parkinson’s Disease: Today’s Science and Tomorrow’s Treatment

et al. 2021

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The second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly is Parkinson’s disease (PD). Its etiology is unclear and there are no available disease-modifying medicines. Therefore, more evidence is required concerning its pathogenesis. The use of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is the basis of most animal models of PD. MPTP is metabolized by monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) to MPP + and induces the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in mammals. Zebrafish have been commonly used in developmental biology as a model organism, but owing to its perfect mix of properties, it is now emerging as a model for human diseases. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are cheap and easy to sustain, evolve rapidly, breed transparent embryos in large amounts, and are readily manipulated by different methods, particularly genetic ones. Furthermore, zebrafish are vertebrate species and mammalian findings obtained from zebrafish may be more applicable than those derived from genetic models of invertebrates such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. The resemblance cannot be taken for granted, however. The goal of the present review article is to highlight the promise of zebrafish as a PD animal model. As its aminergic structures, MPTP mode of action, and PINK1 roles mimic those of mammalians, zebrafish seems to be a viable model for studying PD. The roles of zebrafish MAO, however, vary from those of the two types of MAO present in mammals. The benefits unique to zebrafish, such as the ability to perform large-scale genetic or drug screens, should be exploited in future experiments utilizing zebrafish PD models.

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“…Currently, concrete criteria are suggested in the literature mostly based on empirical data and ethical arguments. Very recently, in 2020, Dietrich et al [117] established a total of 20 criteria, divided into 5 clusters. Some of them include, for instance, the ease of supply, the financial considerations, and the cultural attributes, that can contribute to the use of rodents.…”

Section: Diversity In Animal Modeling: Selected Species and Scientific Fieldsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Models in Pharmacology: A Brief History Awarding the Nobel Prizes for Physiology or Medicine

2021

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Background: The Nobel Prize of Physiology or Medicine (NPPM) has recognized the work of 222 scientists from different nationalities, from 1901 until 2020. From the total, 186 award researchers used animal models in their projects, and 21 were attributed to scientists and projects directly related to Pharmacology. In the most recent years, genetics is a dominant scientific area, while at the beginning of the 20th century, most of the studies were more related to anatomy, cytology, and physiology. Summary: Mammalian models were used in 144 NPPM projects, being rodents the most used group of species. Moreover, 92 researchers included domestic species in their work. The criteria used to choose the species, the number of animals used and the experimental protocol is always debatable and dependent on the scientific area of the study; however, the 3R’s principle can be applied to most scientific fields. Independently of the species, the animal model can be classified in different types and criteria, depending on their ecology, genetics, and mode of action. Key-Messages: The use of animal models in NPPM awarded projects, namely in Pharmacology, illustrates their importance, need and benefit to improve scientific knowledge and create solutions. In the future, with the contribute of technology, it might be possible to refine the use of animal models in pharmacology studies.

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How to choose your research organism

Cited by 50 publications

References 68 publications

The Ecology of the Zebra Finch Makes It a Great Laboratory Model but an Outlier amongst Passerine Birds

The Ecology of the Zebra Finch Makes It a Great Laboratory Model but an Outlier amongst Passerine Birds

The Promise of the Zebrafish Model for Parkinson’s Disease: Today’s Science and Tomorrow’s Treatment

Animal Models in Pharmacology: A Brief History Awarding the Nobel Prizes for Physiology or Medicine

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