This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.
What are model organisms?
Model organisms are animals, plants, or microbes that researchers use to study biological processes and diseases. They are used in research due to their relatively close biological relationship with humans, their ability to reproduce or grow quickly, their low cost, and their wide availability. It is also regarded as more ethical to use model organisms for research instead of using human beings. The use of model organisms has had an enormous impact on the biological understanding of these organisms as well as humans [1].
Model organisms are animals, plants, or microbes that researchers use to study biological processes and diseases. They are used in research due to their relatively close biological relationship with humans, their ability to reproduce or grow quickly, their low cost, and their wide availability. It is also regarded as more ethical to use model organisms for research instead of using human beings. The use of model organisms has had an enormous impact on the biological understanding of these organisms as well as humans [1].
What model organisms can be used to study TP53 and ovarian cancer?
While there are many model organisms that can be used to study both TP53 and ovarian cancer depending on the context in which they are used, two organisms that can be used are:
While there are many model organisms that can be used to study both TP53 and ovarian cancer depending on the context in which they are used, two organisms that can be used are:
Mice: Mice are a great model organism to use for studying ovarian cancer due to their complex reproductive system that has structural features similar to humans. They are also homologs to humans and have strong conservation of TP53 domains compared to humans. When studying TP53 related to ovarian cancer, there are several research studies that use TP53 knock-out models to examine the disease phenotypes and explore therapeutics. Trp53 is the mouse homolog of the human TP53 gene. Yeast: While yeast does not have a reproductive system, it does contain the TP53 gene and can be a very useful tool to study protein-protein interactions using methods like yeast two-hybrid assays. Yeast is a very inexpensive and versatile research tool. |
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Conclusion:
I will be primarily using the mouse to model ovarian cancer because it most closely aligns with my project-specific goals. The female mouse has ovaries that are physiologically similar to humans, and they can be genetically manipulated to create an ovarian cancer phenotype.
I will be primarily using the mouse to model ovarian cancer because it most closely aligns with my project-specific goals. The female mouse has ovaries that are physiologically similar to humans, and they can be genetically manipulated to create an ovarian cancer phenotype.
References:
[1] National Institute of General Medical Sciences. (2012(. Using Model Organisms to Study Health and Disease. Retrieved February 14, 2017. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/modelorg_factsheet.aspx
[1] National Institute of General Medical Sciences. (2012(. Using Model Organisms to Study Health and Disease. Retrieved February 14, 2017. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/modelorg_factsheet.aspx