Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) have unveiled a new approach to drug discovery that could revolutionize how we understand and treat diseases. Their commentary in the Aug.14 issue of explains the limitations of studies using traditional mouse models and proposes using genetically diverse mice and mouse and human cells to better predict human responses to drugs and diseases.
For decades, scientists have relied on inbred mice to study human diseases and test . However, these mice often fail to accurately replicate human conditions, especially for complex diseases like cancer and diabetes. The FDA's recent decision to allow alternatives to through the Modernization Act 2.
0 highlights the urgency of finding more reliable solutions. JAX Mammalian Genetics Scientific Director Nadia Rosenthal, Ph.D.
, F.Med.Sci, and colleagues make a bold claim: it's not the mice that are the problem, but the lack of genetic diversity in the models used.
Reliance on a single inbred strain can lead to inconsistent and often unreliable results, creating unnecessary obstacles to finding better therapies for a variety of diseases. A new, more accurate approach The researchers propose an integrative solution: combine the use of genetically diverse mouse models with cell-based assays to more accurately match data from mice and humans. This approach takes full advantage of the rich genetic resources already available in diverse mouse and human populations to create more accurate and relevant dise.