Frontiers in Genetics (Oct 2020)

The Value of Mouse Models of Rare Diseases: A Spanish Experience

  • Silvia Murillo-Cuesta,
  • Silvia Murillo-Cuesta,
  • Silvia Murillo-Cuesta,
  • Rafael Artuch,
  • Rafael Artuch,
  • Fernando Asensio,
  • Pedro de la Villa,
  • Mara Dierssen,
  • Mara Dierssen,
  • Mara Dierssen,
  • Jose Antonio Enríquez,
  • Jose Antonio Enríquez,
  • Cristina Fillat,
  • Cristina Fillat,
  • Stéphane Fourcade,
  • Stéphane Fourcade,
  • Borja Ibáñez,
  • Borja Ibáñez,
  • Borja Ibáñez,
  • Lluis Montoliu,
  • Lluis Montoliu,
  • Eduardo Oliver,
  • Eduardo Oliver,
  • Aurora Pujol,
  • Aurora Pujol,
  • Aurora Pujol,
  • Eduardo Salido,
  • Eduardo Salido,
  • Mario Vallejo,
  • Mario Vallejo,
  • Isabel Varela-Nieto,
  • Isabel Varela-Nieto,
  • Isabel Varela-Nieto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.583932
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

Read online

Animal models are invaluable for biomedical research, especially in the context of rare diseases, which have a very low prevalence and are often complex. Concretely mouse models provide key information on rare disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies that cannot be obtained by using only alternative methods, and greatly contribute to accelerate the development of new therapeutic options for rare diseases. Despite this, the use of experimental animals remains controversial. The combination of respectful management, ethical laws and transparency regarding animal experimentation contributes to improve society’s opinion about biomedical research and positively impacts on research quality, which eventually also benefits patients. Here we present examples of current advances in preclinical research in rare diseases using mouse models, together with our perspective on future directions and challenges.

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