Better disease models

Many diseases of the heart, lung and blood systems are studied using animal models, often with genetically engineered mice. However, while mice get models, humans get diseases. Too many grants are devoted to curing models, a practice encouraged by many high profile journals who want to see “proof” in a standard model of disease. Much less time, effort and money will be wasted on developing ineffective therapies if focus could be placed on developing new disease models in cells, tissues, animals or humanized animals that better capture what is happening in patients. Developing and validating better models is a critical challenge for successful translation.