As researchers seek the most accurate animal models for in vivo experiments, the availability of gene-editing technologies for developing both mouse and rat models has created more options than ever before. Murine genomes share great similarity with the human genome, which has made them fantastic models for a wide range human disease research.
Although mouse models have been predominantly used in the last century, there are several advantages that rat models provide for specific research applications, such as neuroscience.
In this video, we compare mouse and rat models across various characteristics, reviewing the associated advantages and disadvantages of each species across scientific research experiments.
Murine Models for Research: Mice vs Rats
For decades, both mice and rats have helped fuel important innovations in a wide array of biomedical research disciplines, from psychology to cardiovascular disease. This video explores the differences between these two rodents and explain how rats provide advantages over mice models for many types of experiments.
Watch the video to learn:
- How mouse models are typically more well-established and economical choices for discovery and early-stage research
- Advantages of rat models for specific research applications, imaging procedures, and more
- Comparing and contrasting genomes: human, mouse, and rat
Advancing Medical Research with Rat Models
Establishing appropriate animal models of disease is of vital importance in basic medical research – for which, rats and mice have become the animals of choice. Mice have long been the most important model animal for analyzing human gene functions due to its small size, low operational costs, relatively stable embryonic cells, and pliability for various genetic manipulations and gene editing. However, rats are physiologically, morphologically, and genetically closer to humans than mice, which makes rats ideal models for biomedical and clinical studies – especially given the variety of gene editing options now available in rats.
In contrast to mice, rat models are more widely used in toxicology, teratology, endocrinology, oncology, neurology, experimental gerontology, cardiovascular research, dental research, and experimental parasitology. For a deeper look into the genomic and physiological differences between rats and mice, as well as some research applications for which rats are advantageous, visit our "Rats - The Animal Model that is Revitalizing Medical Research".
Complimentary Support for Custom Rodent Models
If you are interested in custom rodent models for research, Cyagen’s experts can provide you with in-depth technical support and discuss your project plans. In under 15 years since its founding, Cyagen has become a leading provider of custom mouse and rat models – delivering over 78,400 models to researchers worldwide and receiving over 4,750 peer-reviewed citations.
Cyagen takes pride in our premium customer service, which includes price-matching, client access to complimentary technical consultations, full confidentiality, and a 100% money-back service guarantee.
If you have questions about choosing the right animal models for your research, contact us for a complimentary consultation and project strategy design.
