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Harvard Apparatus has been supplying life science researchers studying these model organisms have been making with innovative products and excellent customer support since considerable contributions using Harvard Apparatus products 1902. Over the last 102 years Harvard Apparatus has played a for years, but now new products are required to enhance their significant role in the advancement of science, and we are research. For this catalog, Harvard Apparatus reviewed proud to maintain that role today. Harvard Apparatus is well published research on model organisms and organized our known for its support of small animal research, providing products accordingly. We have added new products to enhance products ideal for studies on mice, rats, guinea pigs, cats and model organism research and included sample publications to dogs. Now the time has come to extend our renowned support assist you in utilizing both the new and existing products. to new research models in bioresearch, including Drosophila, Nematodes, Xenopus and Zebrafish. Life science researchers
What are 'model organisms'? (Richard Twyman) A model organism is a species that has been widely studied, usually because it is easy to maintain and breed in a laboratory setting and has particular experimental advantages. Over the years, a great deal of data has accumulated about such organisms and this in itself makes them more attractive to study. Model organisms are used to obtain information about other species – including humans – that are more difficult to study directly.
MODEL TYPES SPECIES CHARACTERISTICS Genetic Model Organisms These species are amenable to Baker’s Yeast Many different mutants are generally available and genetic analysis: (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) highly detailed genetic maps can be created. 1. they breed in large numbers 2. have a short generation time Fruit Fly so large-scale crosses can be set up (Drosophila melanogaster) and followed over several generations. Nematode Worm (Caenorhabditis elegans)
Experimental Model Organisms These species may not necessarily Chicken They have many disadvantages in terms of genetics be genetically amenable: but they produce robust embryos that can be studied 1. they may have long generation intervals African Clawed Frog and manipulated with ease. These species are widely 2. poor genetic maps (Xenopus laevis) used model organisms in developmental biology. but they have other experimental advantages
Genomic Model Organisms Regardless of their genetic or experimental Puffer Fish Has a similar gene repertoire to humans but a much advantages and disadvantages, certain species (Fugu rubripes) smaller genome (400 million base pairs instead of are chosen as model organisms because they 3000 million.) The difference in size is mainly due to occupy a pivotal position in the evolutionary the presence of more repetitive DNA, larger segments tree or because some quality of their genome of DNA between genes and larger introns in the makes them ideal to study. human genome.
Fly and Worm Surprisingly, over 60% of the human disease genes that have been identified thus far have counterparts in the fly and worm, revealing a core of about 1,500 gene families that is conserved in all animals.
Mouse
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