About this Research Topic
We are pleased to introduce the collection "Model Organisms in Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery" which focuses on three important classes of model organisms - rodent, worms, and zebrafish - and the contributions to the field made possible by studies using these organisms.
These model organisms have become increasingly relevant within the field of pharmacology. Before new drugs can be tested on humans, they undergo rigorous testing on model organisms, making studies using these organisms essential for progress in the field. We aim to highlight the significance of model organisms and the research conducted to identify the most effective models within the field, recognizing that each model offers distinct advantages and contributes to advancing our understanding and potential treatments for human diseases.
These model organisms were selected for their similarity to the structure and function of many human genes which affect pathophysiological events and pharmacological responses, their ease of maintenance in laboratory settings, and their short generation times, which facilitate the study of genetic manipulations with convenience.
Mice and rats are frequently used in studying human diseases as as their clinical phenotypes often approximate findings from human studies. Rodents have played a crucial role in developing various therapies and serve as a valuable tool to investigate the efficiency, safety, and mechanisms of potential drugs before human trials. This collection welcomes the latest advancements in rodent models, their applications, and the latest drug discoveries achieved through their use.
Caenorhabditis elegans, a small nematode worm, is another notable model organism with its fully sequenced genome. With over 60% of human genes having an ortholog in this worm, it is a suitable model for answering pharmacological questions of human diseases. One significant advantage of C. elegans is its transparency throughout its lifespan, allowing easy visualization of genetic modifications and their effects from embryonic development to adulthood. This collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of C. elegans in drug discovery and its contributions to understanding disease mechanisms, particularly related to the nervous system, development, cell signaling, aging, and mechanotransduction.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio), which shares around 70% of its genes with humans, has gained popularity as a model organism in various fields, including pharmacology. About 85% of human genes associated with diseases have a homolog in zebrafish, making it a valuable model for drug discovery studies. The ability to conduct high-throughput screening adds to its suitability. Zebrafish models are particularly useful for studying developmental disorders, toxicology, and regenerative medicine.
The aim of this special collection is to showcase cutting-edge research utilizing rodent, worm and zebrafish models in Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery. It welcomes original research, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives manuscripts within, but not limited to, the following areas:
• Analysis to determine the most appropriate model organisms in research to determine new potential pharmaceuticals, their impact on target etc.
• Comparative studies of different organisms to study pharmacology and drug discovery.
• Organisms used in models for studying disease states, drug targets, and side effects.
• The use of model organisms in determining mechanisms of drug action and the assessment of interactions between drugs and targets.
These model organisms have become increasingly relevant within the field of pharmacology. Before new drugs can be tested on humans, they undergo rigorous testing on model organisms, making studies using these organisms essential for progress in the field. We aim to highlight the significance of model organisms and the research conducted to identify the most effective models within the field, recognizing that each model offers distinct advantages and contributes to advancing our understanding and potential treatments for human diseases.
These model organisms were selected for their similarity to the structure and function of many human genes which affect pathophysiological events and pharmacological responses, their ease of maintenance in laboratory settings, and their short generation times, which facilitate the study of genetic manipulations with convenience.
Mice and rats are frequently used in studying human diseases as as their clinical phenotypes often approximate findings from human studies. Rodents have played a crucial role in developing various therapies and serve as a valuable tool to investigate the efficiency, safety, and mechanisms of potential drugs before human trials. This collection welcomes the latest advancements in rodent models, their applications, and the latest drug discoveries achieved through their use.
Caenorhabditis elegans, a small nematode worm, is another notable model organism with its fully sequenced genome. With over 60% of human genes having an ortholog in this worm, it is a suitable model for answering pharmacological questions of human diseases. One significant advantage of C. elegans is its transparency throughout its lifespan, allowing easy visualization of genetic modifications and their effects from embryonic development to adulthood. This collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of C. elegans in drug discovery and its contributions to understanding disease mechanisms, particularly related to the nervous system, development, cell signaling, aging, and mechanotransduction.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio), which shares around 70% of its genes with humans, has gained popularity as a model organism in various fields, including pharmacology. About 85% of human genes associated with diseases have a homolog in zebrafish, making it a valuable model for drug discovery studies. The ability to conduct high-throughput screening adds to its suitability. Zebrafish models are particularly useful for studying developmental disorders, toxicology, and regenerative medicine.
The aim of this special collection is to showcase cutting-edge research utilizing rodent, worm and zebrafish models in Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery. It welcomes original research, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives manuscripts within, but not limited to, the following areas:
• Analysis to determine the most appropriate model organisms in research to determine new potential pharmaceuticals, their impact on target etc.
• Comparative studies of different organisms to study pharmacology and drug discovery.
• Organisms used in models for studying disease states, drug targets, and side effects.
• The use of model organisms in determining mechanisms of drug action and the assessment of interactions between drugs and targets.
Keywords: Experimental Pharmacology, Drug Discovery, Model Organisms, non-human species, Comparative Studies, Collection Series, Rodent, Zebrafish, Worm
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
