Review

Nature Reviews Genetics 10, 371-380 (June 2009) | doi:10.1038/nrg2578

Towards better mouse models: enhanced genotypes, systemic phenotyping and envirotype modelling

Johannes Beckers1,2, Wolfgang Wurst2,3 & Martin Hrabé de Angelis1,3  About the authors

Top

The mouse is the leading mammalian model organism for basic genetic research and for studying human diseases. Coordinated international projects are currently in progress to generate a comprehensive map of mouse gene functions — the first for any mammalian genome. There are still many challenges ahead to maximize the value of the mouse as a model, particularly for human disease. These involve generating mice that are better models of human diseases at the genotypic level, systemic (assessing all organ systems) and systematic (analysing all mouse lines) phenotyping of existing and new mouse mutant resources, and assessing the effects of the environment on phenotypes.

Author affiliations

  1. Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, GmbH, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
  2. Technical University Munich, Center of Life and Food Sciences, Weihenstephan, Alte Akademie 8, 85354 Freising, Germany.
  3. Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, GmbH, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.

Correspondence to: Johannes Beckers1,2 Email: hrabe@helmholtz-muenchen.de

Correspondence to: Martin Hrabé de Angelis1,3 Email: beckers@helmholtz-muenchen.de

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Targeting mammalian genes?rats join in and mice move ahead

Nature Biotechnology News and Views (01 Jun 2003)

Extra navigation

Subscribe

Subscribe to Nature Reviews Genetics

Search PubMed for

Open Innovation Challenges

naturejobs

Advertisement