This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.
What are model organisms?
Model organisms are non-human species that have been studied in depth to help scientists understand biological processes [1]. Model organisms are usually small, easy to maintain and breed in laboratory settings. Choosing a model organism for a project depends on the objective of the study, as different species will have phenotypes and characteristics that can be observed in different ways.
Common Model Organisms include:
What model organisms should be used to study CRY1?
The CRY1 gene is greatly conserved across plants and animals, and its function in the circadian clock can be most easily observed by studying other mammals, like zebrafish. Circadian clocks can also be studied in organisms like mice and Arabidopsis thaliana because of the high conservation in the photolyase domain. There are phosphomimetic mutations occurring within the Cry1 protein that have transformed in mouse liver nuclei and have led to the study of phosphorylation of different areas in the protein.
Conclusion
Model organisms are useful in understanding disease and bodily mechanisms in humans, while being easy to maintain and breed or transform for specific phenotypes. Understanding the advantages of different model organisms allows for efficient studies. Due to the high conservation of Cry1 in species, different organisms can be used to study the effects of Cry1 in regulation of bodily functions in humans. Zebrafish are small, can be easily and rapidly bred or transformed for specific mutations, and their behavior can be monitored efficiently, perfect subjects for circadian rhythm and Cry1 studies.
References.
1. What are model organisms? (2017, March 03). Retrieved from https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-are-model-organisms
2. Model organism - The School of Biomedical Sciences Wiki. (2019). Retrieved from https://teaching.ncl.ac.uk/bms/wiki/index.php/Model_organism
3. Gao, P., Yoo, S. H., Lee, K. J., Rosensweig, C., Takahashi, J. S., Chen, B. P., & Green, C. B. (2013). Phosphorylation of the Cryptochrome 1 C-terminal Tail Regulates Circadian Period Length*. In J Biol Chem (Vol. 288, pp. 35277-35286).
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1. What are model organisms? (2017, March 03). Retrieved from https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-are-model-organisms
2. Model organism - The School of Biomedical Sciences Wiki. (2019). Retrieved from https://teaching.ncl.ac.uk/bms/wiki/index.php/Model_organism
3. Gao, P., Yoo, S. H., Lee, K. J., Rosensweig, C., Takahashi, J. S., Chen, B. P., & Green, C. B. (2013). Phosphorylation of the Cryptochrome 1 C-terminal Tail Regulates Circadian Period Length*. In J Biol Chem (Vol. 288, pp. 35277-35286).
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Sara Acosta Villarreal Genetics and Genomics, UW-Madison [email protected] Last updated: May 10, 2019 |
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