You’re Not a Lab Mouse, but You Might Be a Wild Mouse

TL;DR

Wild mice have immune systems more similar to humans than lab mice, making them a valuable tool for studying diseases and developing treatments.

Transcript

Thanks to Brilliant for  supporting this SciShow video! As a SciShow viewer, you can  keep building your STEM skills with a 30 day free trial and 20% off an annual premium subscription  at Brilliant.org/SciShow. Some mice have crummy immune systems. Like, especially the ones we rely  on to learn about our own health. When they’re bred in sterile en... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 Lab mice are extensively used in scientific research due to their controlled genetic makeup and environments.
• 🐭 However, lab mice have become inbred and their immune systems differ from humans, leading to failures in translating treatments from mice to humans.
• 🐭 Wild mice have more genetic variation and immune responses similar to humans, making them valuable for studying diseases and developing treatments.
• 🐭 The Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred mice are more representative models that bridge the gap between lab mice and humans.
• 🥺 Studying wild and diverse mouse populations can lead to a better understanding of immune disorders and immune-mediated diseases.
• 🐭 Researchers can identify more accurate targets for disease treatments by studying wild mice and using diverse mouse populations.
• 🐭 Wild mice can provide insights into the activation and regulation of immune-related genes that may be overlooked in lab mice.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are lab mice commonly used in scientific research?

Lab mice are preferred for research because their genetic makeup and environments are well-controlled, allowing scientists to study specific traits and responses.

Q: How are lab mice different from wild mice in terms of their immune systems?

Lab mice have less genetic variation and less exposure to pathogens, resulting in immune systems that are less representative of human immune responses.

Q: Why have many treatments that were successful in lab mice failed in humans?

One reason is that lab mice have immune systems that differ from humans, leading to a lack of accurate predictions about treatment effectiveness.

Q: How are researchers trying to bridge the gap between lab mice and humans?

Researchers are now studying wild mice, which have more varied genetics and exposure to pathogens. They are also breeding lab mice with wild mice to create a more diverse population of mice for research.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lab mice, which have been bred for generations in sterile environments, have become inbred and less representative of human immune systems.

• The immune systems of wild mice are more similar to humans and can provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms and treatment development.

• Researchers have started using a more diverse group of mice, known as the Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred mice, to bridge the gap between lab mice and humans.