Document Type
Article Presentation
Original Publication Date
2021
Date of Submission
September 2021
Abstract
In Jean-Antoine Lepesant's review of The promises of neurodegenerative disease modeling, the author evaluates the present and past roles of molecular genetics in biomedical research and assesses the use of animal models in neurodegenerative disease modeling. Despite posing various ethical issues, particularly surrounding the clinical implications of CRISPR/Cas9, molecular genetics has allowed researchers to determine the pathogenic origin of various diseases as well as mimic the conditions of genetically altered patients. Molecular genetics has also facilitated a transgenic approach to create animal models for mammalian disorders. In particular, D. melanogaster serves as a preliminary research tool in the investigation of neurodegenerative disease due to their high genetic similarity with humans and the ease of observing neurological loss-of-function disorders upon their visual receptors. Additionally, the fruit flow model provides a low-cost and minimal maintenance alternative to human trials that prevents ethical dilemmas. D. melanogaster has developed a proven track order in the study of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and several other neurodegenerative diseases.
Rights
© The Author(s)