Science and medicine have evolved well beyond what many people dreamed would be possible at this point in the human timeline. Less than 200 years ago, scientists had just discovered the basics of the body’s immune system and were trying to understand how it works.
Now, we have the technology to not only give the immune system a helping hand but actually alter the body’s genetic makeup to eliminate some medical conditions before they take effect.
Some of the most significant developments in the world of science and medicine revolve around immunology and biomedicine. SCID rat models are a key component here. The SCID rat model plays several key roles in biomedical science.
An Overview of SCID Rat Models
In a nutshell, SCID, or severe combined immunodeficiency, rat models are rats that lack functioning immune systems. They’re used to conduct various types of medical research. Initially, the SCID condition was a naturally occurring condition in lab mice that was discovered by accident.
Today, though, SCID can be artificially created in a variety of animals through genetic engineering. Scientists begin by identifying the genes they want to study. Then, they use gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, to modify or disable those genes in lab rats.
From there, they can breed entire lines of rats that carry on the genetic alterations they’ve made so they can carry out their studies. That allows scientists to create specific immunodeficiencies for more targeted and ongoing research and testing.
How SCID Rat Models Are Used in Biomedical Science
Scientists can use SCID models in many ways.
They essentially provide a blank slate for studying diseases, treatments, and other variables without immune cells present to interfere. This can have numerous advantages in immunology and biomedicine, and it holds virtually unlimited potential for the future.
For one, scientists can introduce human immune cells into rats without those of their own. That enables them to study how those cells develop and function in a living creature. It can aid in pinpointing factors that affect immune cells’ maturation and activation.
It also allows scientists to essentially rebuild immune systems and learn more about how different components of them develop.
SCID rats can also be used to study how pathogens and diseases behave in the absence of immune cells to counteract them. Additionally, these rats are important in studying autoimmune diseases.
They help scientists to better understand how these diseases develop and progress and their effects on the body. Of course, SCID models have become crucial in developing vaccines, medications, and immunotherapies for various illnesses and chronic conditions.
They’re key in stem cell research as well.
Reshaping the World of Biomedical Science
Some of humanity’s greatest developments were initially discovered by accident, and SCID models certainly fall into that category.
Though they’ve been in use for about 80 years at this point, advancements in genetic engineering have made them more practical and versatile than ever before. With more targeted creation of immunodeficiencies, scientists can more effectively hone their research.
That, in turn, leads to more effective results.
SCID rat models have made significant contributions to humanity’s understanding of the immune system as well as numerous medical conditions. They’ve also led to the development of a wide range of treatments, including those for cancer, autoimmune disorders, HIV, and AIDS.
They’re even being used to develop treatments for humans who are born with severe combined immunodeficiency. No doubt, they’ll be a crucial component in the future of biomedical science as well.