Minute to Understanding: What is a mouse model?

Is a mouse model just a very stylish looking mouse?

No, no, no — it’s not a mouse walking down the runway at Fashion Week!

In architecture, a “model” is a representation of a building. In mice, a “model” is a representation of a human disease or syndrome.

Mice share more than 95% of our DNA — and this means that we’re both affected by disease in surprisingly similar ways.

By studying mice that have symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, or cancer, we can learn a lot more about how these diseases might be treated in patients.

The quest for the best mouse model — or best “representation” — of a disease is always ongoing. The closer we are to accurately modeling genetic diseases in the mouse, the closer we are to discovering cures in the clinic.

Dive deeper! Why are mice such a useful model for genetic and genomic research?

In the 15-minute JAX Online MicroLesson, "Mouse as a Model for Understanding Human Biology and Disease," you'll explore the unique characteristics that make mice invaluable for studying human biology and disease. This introductory lesson will deepen your understanding of genetic research and its applications to human health. Sign up to learn what makes the mouse such a powerful research tool, both at JAX and in the research community at large!