16.02.2023 – 2min

The power of mice genetics: advancing life science research and tackling society’s biggest health challenges.

Mice are incredibly similar to humans, sharing around 97.5% of their working DNA. That’s why genetically engineered mice have become an essential tool for investigating disease genetics and testing new drugs. Through mouse phenotyping studies, researchers can analyze the biological properties of mice with specific genes modified, added, or removed, providing valuable insights into the evolution of disease symptoms.

According to Je Kyung Seong, Director of the Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center (KMPC) and Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine of Seoul National University, our aging society is facing more diseases that affect the elderly, and the westernization of our diets has led to an increase in metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity. By using genetically engineered mice, researchers can gain a better understanding of these diseases and develop new treatments to improve human health. It’s exciting to see how the study of mice genetics is helping us tackle some of the biggest health challenges facing our society.

*Je Kyung Seong, director of KMPC and a professor at Seoul National University. © Yoon-Jung Nam*

In 2013, the Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center (KMPC) teamed up with the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) to advance mouse model research. All participating institutions follow the same strict protocol for mouse phenotyping, which allows them to share data seamlessly on a central platform. Together, they can develop new treatments and therapies to improve human health by pooling knowledge. Researchers worldwide can now better understand the roles of individual genes in health and disease and develop new therapies to tackle some of the world’s biggest medical challenges. It’s a remarkable achievement, proving the power of international collaboration in cutting-edge research.

Did you know that the Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center (KMPC) has taken its research to the next level by utilizing 60 PhenoMaster cages? This system helps them to precisely analyze a wide range of biological properties in mice, such as behavior, energy expenditure, and food intake. With the help of this advanced TSE solution, the KMPC is able to collect valuable data that is paving the way for new and exciting breakthroughs in medical research.