Rhesus macaques have long been considered the prime model for AIDS vaccine research – as well as for understanding a host of other global infectious viruses such as Ebola, Zika, Dengue and malaria – because these monkeys’ immune systems are analogous to humans.
Read MoreThese baboons are needed as a model for a variety of studies, including research focused on understanding the genetics of complex diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. These two baboons are males socially housed in a baboon corral with other male baboons. They are seated on climbing structures…
View and ShareThese 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 ShareGreater understanding of these genetic interactions may eventually permit improved diagnostics and therapies for patients with cardiomyopathy
Read MoreCats like Sophie help researchers study the molecular causes for heart failure. Almost 6 million people in the US have heart failure and half of these people die within 5 years of their diagnosis. Cells from the heart muscle of cats survive for up to 10 days in culture. This…
View and ShareThis 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 ShareTiti monkeys are one of the few nonhuman primate models that develop social attachment. Therefore, they are involved in the study of neurotransmitters and what they contribute to the biology of social attachment. Recently, the monkeys were involved in research to develop a new technique to visualize oxytocin receptors in…
Visit Species PageNew therapeutic approaches directed at the post-stroke immune response show promise in mice.
Read MoreThe anatomy and function of organ systems in pigs are very similar to that of humans. Pig and human hearts and their associated blood vessels are approximately the same size and structure. Thus pigs are a valuable model in understanding heart function, disease, and treatment. Both pigs and people are…
Visit Species PageA team of scientists wants to accelerate research into a genetic disorder by using CRISPR to copy unique mutations from affected children into pigs. [caption id="attachment_977" align="alignright" width="291"] A gene-edited pig with an NF-1 mutation. Photo credit: Jeff Miller / University of Wisconsin-Madison[/caption] When Charles Konsitzke and Dhanu Shanmuganayagam…
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