Genetically engineered animals help in scientific research that may benefit children

The recent use of genetically modified mice and rats in combination with an animal model of obstructive nephropathy, a type of renal disease, has given researchers new insight in the development of kidney disease. This research is published in the September issue of Kidney International.

“Chronic kidney disease is difficult to study since it takes a fair amount of time to install,” states Joost P. Schanstra, Ph.D. of the Instituit Louis Bugnard in France. “This animal model has the advantage of mimicking in a short time the different stages of chronic kidney disease. The combination of genetically engineered animals and this animal model has helped us to decide which molecules to study, or which might be interesting targets for drug development in human chronic kidney disease.”

Obstructive nephropathy or obstructive uropathy, the kidney disease on which this animal model is based, is frequently found in children and is the first cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). According to the article, ESRD represents 16.1% of all pediatric transplantations in North America.

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