Mice as experimental organisms.

The mouse is extensively used as a model system to reproducehuman diseases in a mammalian system, and to consequently allow to examine the molecular and pathogenic features of the disease in a context that is as close as possible to the human being. The use of the mouse has been particularly useful in three large areas of experimental pathogenesis: (1) classic monogenic diseases, (2) cancer development and progression and (3) developmental genetics and congenital pathologies. In each of these areas, significant progress has been made in recent years. Here, after a short introduction to the biology of the mouse and its history as a model organism, we summarise the current status of genetic manipulation of the mouse genome, provide an overview of current knowledge and illustrate some recent advancements.