Sigma-Aldrich launches new animal research models

Sigma-Aldrich has announced the launch of three genetically modified rat models for use in the study of a variety of human health conditions.

Developed by Sigma Advanced Genetic Engineering (Sage), the leptin, LDL receptor and ApoE gene knockout rats have been created to display phenotypes, physiology and metabolic conditions needed in the study of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Normally, in order to research conditions such as obesity, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, hypertension and familial hypercholesterolemia, test subjects would need to be provided with expensive high-fat diets.

Gene knockout models of this kind were previously only available among mice, but rats are broadly recognised as being more indicative of human physiology and response.

Edward Weinstein, director of Sage Labs, said: "Using the same model organism from discovery to drug development enables much earlier and clearer answers to the key question: will this therapeutic translate into humans?"

This comes after the company presented biological and behavioural data on the first knockout rat models for autism last month.