6 September, 2006 Chapter 21 Methods: Model Systems I
Dec 20, 2015
Model Systems• Phage / Virus: DNA replication, Recombination, Regulation
• Bacteria: Minimal Cell
• S. cerevisiae: Minimal Eukaryote
• C. elegans: Development
• Drosophila: Genetics
• Mouse: Mammal
Overview• Saccharomyces cerevisiae makes an excellent model system for studying
eukaryotic processes, including the cell cycle.
• S. cerevisiae is genetically tractable, and is readily cultured.
• Caenorhabitis elegans is an ideal model system for studying development.
• C. elegans is easy to grow both sexually and asexually, has a defined number of cells, and many genetic tools.
• Drosophila melanogaster is well characterized genetically, easy to grow, and is long-standing model system.
• Mus musculus is a mammal whose development and stem cells are similar to humans, and has a relatively rapid life cycle.
The first genetic maps were constructed in Drosophila. The fly is also useful in studying development.