4 ms·
The problem is that the breeding protocols inadvertently created a selection bias towards long telomeres. Mice with extra long telomeres have exceptional tissue
by sradman 6y ago
The problem is that the breeding protocols inadvertently created a selection bias towards long telomeres. Mice with extra long telomeres have exceptional tissue repair capacity while also being susceptible to tumor growth.
The supply of lab mice can be corrected to have a more natural telomere length. All past studies that used mouse models to study the impact of drugs are skewed to under report toxicity and over report carcinogenicity.
- mennis16 6y agoThat fixes only this one specific problem though, the breeding protocol has probably introduced a lot of biases.
- sradman 6y agoI imagine that “the fix” involves a new strain of more natural mice and a better breeding protocol moving forward. Part of Weinstein’s issue is that this fix has not been transparent. I hope someone can provide greater detail.
- ardy42 6y ago> Mice with extra long telomeres have exceptional tissue repair capacity while also being susceptible to tumor growth.... > All past studies that used mouse models to study the impact of drugs are skewed to under report toxicity and over report carcinogenicity. Could the data from long telomere mice be de-skewed to compensate for new-understood effects the long telomeres?
- AzzieElbab 6y agoI don't think it is linear. Fast tissue recovery can make side effects unobservable