These mice are part of a study to help understand how HDL cholesterol, “the good cholesterol,"protects people from heart attacks. They are transgenic mice carrying the human gene APOA1, which produces a protein component of HDL cholesterol. Animals with this gene are highly resistant to heart disease. When they reach…
View and ShareHamsters are important in many research areas, including cancer, reproduction, virology, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Hamsters and humans metabolize fats and sugars in similar ways, leading to susceptibility to atherosclerosis and diabetes. When fed high fat diets, hamsters’ LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) will elevate, as in humans, and lead…
Visit Species PageCredit: Photo by Clem Spalding, Courtesy of Texas Biomedical Research Institute
View and ShareRabbits are the reason our dogs and cats can live with us in our houses. Louis Pasteur worked with rabbits to develop the first rabies vaccine which made it safe to bring pets into our homes. Rabbits have a similar anatomy and physiology to humans, especially their cardiovascular system, and…
Visit Species PageLove, Care, Progress: Inside a Nonhuman Primate Research Facility highlights the critically important role of nonhuman primates in health research. This moving story is meant to serve as a conversation starter about the irreplaceable benefits of animal studies and the high standards of care these amazing creatures receive. Viewers will…
View and ShareRadiation oncologist Dr. Michael Kent desperately wants to beat cancer.He’s testing the latest high-tech treatments in clinical trials and using a multimillion-dollar linear accelerator so he can offer the best care to patients — whether they’re beagles, golden retrievers, or the black and white terrier mix named Moo he’s now…
Read MoreThe common marmoset is important in studies for safety, reproductive biology, neuroscience, and drug development. Its small size and many similarities with humans, as well as its differences, make the common marmoset a valued model. In one area of research, multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory disease of the brain caused…
Visit Species PageRhesus macaque monkeys are an important animal model due to their anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. Many benefits to human health would not have been possible without these special animals, including the development of life-saving vaccines such as polio, smallpox, and rabies. Effective treatments for HIV/AIDS have been created because of research…
Visit Species PageThis mouse is on a study to help prevent heart attacks. He lives in a shoebox cage with three other mice. His cage is cleaned regularly and he is provided with fresh food consisting of a high fat diet (to simulate humans prone to heart attacks). He sleeps during the…
View and ShareCome See Our World (CSOW) is a project of Americans for Medical Progress (AMP). CSOW and AMP connect reporters with information, research contacts, pictures and videos to provide a current and accurate profile of the importance of animals in biomedical research and testing. Reporters may reach us at media@amprogress.org or by calling…
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