Alternative models in nutrigenomics

Alternative models in nutrigenomics

Edited by Prof Dr Uwe Wenzel and Dr Fabio Virgili

Genes and Nutrition is proud to present our newest thematic series, on alternative models in nutrigenomics. Animal models, and in particular rodent species, have been essential in medical research due to practical and ethical concerns associated with human experimentation.  Results from animal studies guide translation of in vitro results to in vivo conditions and eventually to humans. 

Millions of animals are used every year worldwide to foster basic research. In spite of well-defined protocols aiming to minimize pain, distress, and death by the animals, animal research nevertheless raises ethical concerns. Additional concerns are the requirement for trained and skilled personnel, time consuming protocols, and high costs. These practical issues increases the obvious uncertainties of translating animal data and results to humans.

The foundation of much nutritional sciences was obtained from rats, mice, and rabbits as experimental models, while the utilization of different species such as cats, dogs, pigs and primates, is relatively limited to specific fields of research.

This collection of articles, authored by researchers having a strong, long term experience on the matter, is dedicated to alternative experimental models that may eventually contribute to solving, at least in part, these critical issues. In particular, C. elegans,  D. melanogaster, and the “zebra fish” (the cyprinide Danio rerio) are discussed as suitable expedient models in nutrigenomic research.

We hope that this collection of articles can provide some “food for thought” to our readers, to provide a critical overview on studies based on non-rodent models, and stimulate their “intent” to relieve, when possible, the use of rodent in research studies.  

This collection of articles has not been sponsored and articles have undergone the journal’s standard peer-review process. The Guest Editors declare no competing interests.

View all collections published in Genes and Nutrition.

1. Content Type:Review

   Drosophila melanogaster in nutrition research—the importance of standardizing experimental diets

   The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been increasingly recognized as an important model organism in nutrition research. In order to conduct nutritional studies in fruit flies, special attention should be giv...

   Authors:Kai Lüersen, Thomas Röder and Gerald Rimbach

   Citation:Genes & Nutrition 2019 14:3

   Published on: 1 February 2019

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2. Content Type:Commentary

   Is C. elegans a suitable model for nutritional science?

   The suitability of C. elegans as a model for the question of nutritional science is a controversial topic. The discussion makes clear that C. elegans is its own best model for revealing, via genetic approaches, b...

   Authors:Dieter-Christian Gottschling and Frank Döring

   Citation:Genes & Nutrition 2019 14:1

   Published on: 9 January 2019

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