User:Eden (noreply)/Selecting a Model Organism

Selecting a model organism

Models are those organisms with a wealth of biological data that make them attractive to study as examples for other species – including humans – that are more difficult to study directly. These can be classed as genetic models (with short generation times, such as the fruitfly and nematode worm), experimental models, and genomic models, with a pivotal position in the evolutionary tree . Historically, model organisms include a handful of species with extensive genomic research data, such as the NIH model organisms.

Often, model organisms are chosen on the basis that they are amenable to experimental manipulation. This usually will include characteristics such as a short life-cycle, simple living conditions (so they are easy to maintain in a loboratory setting), an amenability to common techniques for genetic manipulation (inbreeding strains to create homozygous true-breeding lines, and methods of transformation), and large numbers of offspring per generation. Sometimes, the genome arrangement facilitates the sequencing of the model organism's genome, for example, by being very compact or having a low proportion of junk DNA (e.g. yeast, Arabidopsis, or pufferfish).

When researchers look for an organism to use in their studies, they look for several traits. Among these are size, generation time, accessibility, manipulation, genetics, conservation of mechanisms, and potential economic benefit. As comparative molecular biology has become more common, some researchers have sought model organisms from a wider assortment of lineages on the tree of life.