By: Paul Browne

Paul Browne — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:59:07 +0000

Basic research also underpins all the work on alternatives to animal research that are currently under development. Take for example the computer models and simulations that Dario discussed a little while back http://speakingofresearch.com/2009/08/03/the-limits-of-computer-simulations/ that are often cited as potential replacements for animal studies, and which will play an important role in extrapolating from in vitro test data to predict effects on whole organisms in future toxicity testing programs. In order to accurately predict the function of real living systems these models require a wealth of data on what the components (e.g. genes, proteins, microRNA) of different biological systems are, how these components interact to regulate the system in particular processes, how different systems interact with each other and how processes that occur at the level of individual cells interact to produce a physiological effect in a tissue or the whole organism.

This data is provided by many thousands of scientists around the world who are working with cells and tissue samples in vitro, in model organisms ranging from yeast to mice, with clinical data from humans, and in many cases all three. Little of this work ever comes to the attention of the public, it rarely makes the newspaper headlines or gets cited as the discovery that led to medical breakthrough X, but it is no less important for all that.

By: Dave Bienus

Dave Bienus — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 01:56:05 +0000

Excellent post Dario. This is often a tough concept to explain and it’s one that the animal rights groups choose not to grasp.

Comments on: Basic science is fundamental science

By: Paul Browne

By: Dave Bienus