Natural Variants And Animal Models

Sheep as Models for Human Genetic Disease

Natural Variants and Animal Models

The identification of natural variants of genetic disease in sheep is a breakthrough for studying human diseases. These variants provide a unique opportunity to create animal models that accurately mimic human conditions, offering researchers a valuable tool for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.

Advantages of Sheep Models

Sheep make excellent large animal models for human genetic disease due to their:

• Genetic similarity to humans
• Availability of a large number of natural variants
• Well-established breeding and husbandry practices

These advantages make sheep an ideal choice for studying complex genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and Alzheimer's disease.