What Are Humanized Mice?
Humanized mouse models are mice that scientists modify in the laboratory to host human cells, tissues, or genes, or portions of a person’s microbiome. Researchers use humanized mouse models to study aspects of human biology and health in living organisms. Historically, functional studies of human health relied on ex vivo analyses and clinical trials that are costly and potentially limited by ethical constraints. Humanized mice help researchers study human health in vivo and overcome limitations of cell culture, tissue culture, and clinical trials.1,2
How Are Humanized Mice Made?Scientists use several methods for generating humanized mouse models to answer a variety of research questions.3 Many of these techniques rely on immunodeficient mouse strains to ensure the long-lived engraftment of human cells or tissue.4 Three common methods for generating humanized mice include engraftment of the human immune system into immunodeficient mice, replacement of mouse genes with their human counterparts, ...
