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Mouse Model Systems for Studying Down Syndrome

Just recently, researchers in London made an enormous breakthrough in the development of a new mouse model for Down syndrome research which contains almost the entire human chromosome 21. This is a huge feat in genetic engineering and a significant improvement over the existing mouse models because these new mice have more human genes, as well as human DNA that regulates the genes, to use in their testing. 

Researchers agree that this new mouse not only solves problems, but raises the next round of questions. More importantly the mouse model provides a way to solve them. Roger Reeves a Johns Hopkins University geneticist believes: "This is going to have a huge impact on Down syndrome research."

Scientists believe that characteristics of DS are triggered by an over-_expression or imbalance of certain genes caused by the triplicate copy of chromosome 21. Down syndrome researchers have been using genetically altered mice for the past 30 years; it is primarily through the use of mouse models that they have been able to learn more about Trisomy 21 and to find ways to ameliorate the effects. With this new mouse model breakthrough, the hope is that they can "tease" out precise genes to isolate those that are responsible for the cognitive effects of Down syndrome. Among other conditions, they are also hoping to determine why individuals with DS are more susceptible to Leukemia and auto-immune disorders. 

The mice are extremely important to researchers all over the world who are exploring the myriad effects of this complex syndrome. The big hitch is that all genetically engineered mice are very expensive and time-consuming to create. We need to raise money to contribute to the creation of more mouse models to further DS research. Each day, there are breakthroughs in genetic engineering and gene therapy. It is the scientists’ hope, along with ours, that the identification of the specific genes responsible for the effects of Down syndrome will lead to therapies and treatments that will improve cognition in those with DS.