Animal models of human genetic diseases.
Gene targeting in cultured embryonic stem cells permits the generation of mice with a desired alteration in a chosen target gene. Application of this procedure to create mouse models of human diseases is revealing the innate complexity of diseases normally ascribed to single gene defects. Modeling human diseases that are known to be multigenic in origin and are markedly influenced by environmental factors is potentially even more revealing.
Smithies
O
O
Department of Pathology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7525.
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000235:genetics; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics