title: The rise of model protozoa.
abstract: It is timely to evaluate the role of protozoa as model organisms given their diversity, abundance and versatility as well as the economic and ethical pressures placed on animal-based experimentation. We first define the term model organism and then examine through examples why protozoa make good models. Our examples reflect major issues including evolution, ecology, population and community biology, disease, the role of organelles, ageing, space travel, toxicity and teaching. We conclude by recognising that although protozoa may in some cases not completely mimic tissue- or whole-animal-level processes, they are extremely flexible and their use should be embraced. Finally, we offer advice on obtaining emergent model protozoa.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, BioScience Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK. dmontag@liv.ac.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montagnes
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lukeš
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D056893:Alveolata / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000502:physiology*