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What are animal models and why are they important in drug development?

Animal models are organisms, often mice or rats, that have been engineered to reproduce the physical and/or molecular changes that occur during the course of a disease in humans. These models are used to study the biology of the disease, including the genetics and/or cellular and molecular pathways involved in the disease. Animal models also have a critical role in developing and testing new therapies before they are tested in humans. To learn more about animal models and why they are important for drug development, click on the links below.

• NIGMS: “Animals Helping People” from The New Genetics
• ALS TDI: Testing Therapeutics

Testimonials: How we did it

Relevant publications

Related Tools

What types of animal models exist for biomedical research?

• NIH: Model Organisms for Biomedical Research

Animal Model Repositories

• The Jackson Laboratory: Cytogenic Models Resources
• NIH: Deltagen and Lexicon Knockout Mice and Phenotypic Data
• NCI Developmental Therapeutic Program: Tumor Repository
• UC Davis: Knockout Mouse Project Repository
• NCRR: Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Center
• NIAID: Gene Knockout / Transgenic Mice Exchange Program