Model Mice May Mislead Trauma Researchers, Study Finds

Mice, the most commonly used laboratory animals in medical research, may be poor models for studying trauma or infections in humans, scientists found.

In a test comparing the genetic responses of mouse and human immune cells, mouse models had vastly different reactions to toxins and trauma, according to findings published yesterday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The results are a reminder that mouse models don’t reflect the intricacy of human ailments, researchers said.