Transformative Animal Models in Modern Biology

Catalog description

Animal models are extremely important in the study of biology and in modern medicine. They allow us to determine fundamental biological mechanisms and cellular and molecular causes of disease. There is logic to how each animal model has found its place in the menagerie of accepted animal models. Certain animal models allow us to test particular hypotheses that may not be possible to address in other animals. Moreover, some animal models are more relevant than others to studying a particular human disease. This seminar-based course will focus on animal models that either are effective at modeling human disease, approach relevant neurobiological questions, or play a role in translational medicine. The course will focus on mammalian and non-mammalian animal models that are important to biomedical research, including the primate, mouse, zebrafish, and roundworm. Comparisons between popular animal models will be made. This course satisfies the Organismal breadth requirement of the B.A. and B.S. in Biology. Offered as BIOL 379 and BIOL 479 . Prereq: Undergraduate student and ( BIOL 326 or BIOL 373 ) or Requisites Not Met permission.