Beyond the petri dish: Model organisms in non-clinical exploration

Prerona Boruah 1, *, Komal Bavaskar 1, Nikhita Deka 2 and Aditya Yadav 1

1 School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, DY Patil Deemed to be University, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, India, 400614.
2 Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, India, 786004
 
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(01), 2540–2553
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.1.2238
 
Publication history: 
Received on 16 June 2024; revised on 23 July 2024; accepted on 25 July 2024
 
Abstract: 
Animal models have been integral to scientific research for decades, offering invaluable insights into complex biological processes, advancing medical knowledge, and aiding the development of new treatments. This review explores the significance of animal models in various research fields, emphasizing their biological similarity to humans as a key factor. Animals, ranging from mice and rats to primates, fruit flies, and worms, share fundamental physiological, anatomical, and genetic characteristics with humans, making them crucial proxies for studying diseases and biological pathways. This review underscores the essential role of animal models in preclinical research, particularly in evaluating drug candidates for safety, efficacy, and potential side effects before human trials. The controlled experimental environment provided by animal models allows researchers to manipulate variables, isolate factors, and establish cause-and-effect relationships, enhancing the understanding of complex genetic disorders.
 
Keywords: 
Animal model; Anatomical; Genetic; Physiological and pre-clinical studies
 
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