An encyclopedia of mouse DNA elements (Mouse ENCODE)

Abstract

e laboratory mouse is the premier mammalian model organism for the study of human disease, and it has played a vital role in both the annotation of the human genome and the study of gene function and regulation. Similar to humans, mice naturally develop diverse diseases that affect the hematologic, nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine, musculoskeletal, renal and other systems, providing excellent experimental paradigms for studying the pathogenesis of cancer, autoimmune disease, diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders and diverse neurodegenerative states. Mouse models are currently available for hundreds of human disorders [1-4], spanning diverse quantitative and behavioral phenotypes and physiological systems. ese comprise both inbred strains and genetically engineered mutants, many of which have been extensively characterized. For these reasons, the mouse has emerged as a premier system for translating basic human genetic, genomic and physiologic research into paradigms for therapeutic development.