Sunday, December 19, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Animal Models for Therapeutic Strategies
uthor: Allan B. Haberman, Ph.D.
Developing animal models that are more predictive of efficacy is an iterative process. But progress is being made, as researchers apply new knowledge and experimental approaches in elucidating the biology of particular diseases to creation of animal models.
About the Author:
Allan B. Haberman, PhD, is Principal of Haberman Associates, a consulting firm specializing in science and technology strategy for pharmaceutical, biotechnology,and other life science companies. He is also a Principal and Founder of the Biopharmaceutical Consortium (www.biopharmconsortium.comuthor: Allan B. Haberman, Ph.D. The use of animal models in development of novel therapeutic strategies is the main emphasis of this report. Creation of new animal models is an important part of this research. Discussed in this publication: * Case studies of the use of established animal models in developing novel therapeutic strategies * Emerging animal models for use in drug discovery and the development of new therapeutic strategies * Development of animal models that are more predictive of drug efficacy * Technological developments in progress * Use of computer models and translational biomarkers to move more effectively from preclinical animal studies to the clinic * Thought-leader interviews and a user survey are also included Although animal models based on mammalian species have been long employed, more recently the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry has also adopted several invertebrate and lower vertebrate animal models. The aim of using animal models to develop novel therapeutic strategies is to achieve knowledge of pathways and targets that leads to new paradigms for drug discovery and development. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 6 focus on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila, the zebrafish, and the mouse, respectively. Each chapter includes cases studies of the use of each of these established animal models in developing novel therapeutic strategies for human disease. Chapters 5 and 7 focus on emerging animal models, the African clawed toad Xenopus tropicalis and emerging mammalian animal models. Each of these chapters focuses on technological developments in progress to develop tractable animal models based on these organisms. Chapter 7 also includes a discussion of the rat as an animal model, which is “reemerging” as the result of new technologies and collaborations. Chapter 8 discusses the use of computer models and translational biomarkers in helping researchers move more effectively from preclinical animal studies to human clinical trials. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company researchers have been increasingly applying pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling to all stages of drug development. These models, as well as biophysical models such as those developed by Novartis and physiological models such as those developed by Entelos, can help researchers more effectively use animal model data in the design of clinical trials. In particular, they can help researchers reduce drug attrition in clinical trials due to suboptimal dosing. Chapter 6, which focuses on the mouse, concludes with a discussion of the issue of developing more predictive animal models of drug efficacy, specifically more predictive mammalian models. One main reason for researchers’ difficulties in producing predictive mouse models is major unknown factors in disease biology. Although these factors make developing predictive animal models difficult, researchers can use animal models to learn about unknown or poorly understood areas of disease biology. This is expected to lead to the development of improved animal models as well as the development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs. Developing animal models that are more predictive of efficacy is an iterative process. But progress is being made, as researchers apply new knowledge and experimental approaches in elucidating the biology of particular diseases to creation of animal models. About the Author: Allan B. Haberman, PhD, is Principal of Haberman Associates, a consulting firm specializing in science and technology strategy for pharmaceutical, biotechnology,and other life science companies. He is also a Principal and Founder of the Biopharmaceutical Consortium (www.biopharmconsortium.com), an expert team formed to assist life science companies, research groups,and emerging enterprises to identify and exploit promising,breakthrough technologies. Dr. Haberman is also the author of numerous publications on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, their technologies and products,and on the major therapeutic areas for drug discovery and development. Formerly the associate director of the Biotechnology Engineering Center at Tufts University, he received his PhD in biochemistry and molecula biology from Harvard University.
About the Author:
Allan B. Haberman, PhD, is Principal of Haberman Associates, a consulting firm specializing in science and technology strategy for pharmaceutical, biotechnology,and other life science companies. He is also a Principal and Founder of the Biopharmaceutical Consortium (www.biopharmconsortium.comuthor: Allan B. Haberman, Ph.D. The use of animal models in development of novel therapeutic strategies is the main emphasis of this report. Creation of new animal models is an important part of this research. Discussed in this publication: * Case studies of the use of established animal models in developing novel therapeutic strategies * Emerging animal models for use in drug discovery and the development of new therapeutic strategies * Development of animal models that are more predictive of drug efficacy * Technological developments in progress * Use of computer models and translational biomarkers to move more effectively from preclinical animal studies to the clinic * Thought-leader interviews and a user survey are also included Although animal models based on mammalian species have been long employed, more recently the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry has also adopted several invertebrate and lower vertebrate animal models. The aim of using animal models to develop novel therapeutic strategies is to achieve knowledge of pathways and targets that leads to new paradigms for drug discovery and development. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 6 focus on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila, the zebrafish, and the mouse, respectively. Each chapter includes cases studies of the use of each of these established animal models in developing novel therapeutic strategies for human disease. Chapters 5 and 7 focus on emerging animal models, the African clawed toad Xenopus tropicalis and emerging mammalian animal models. Each of these chapters focuses on technological developments in progress to develop tractable animal models based on these organisms. Chapter 7 also includes a discussion of the rat as an animal model, which is “reemerging” as the result of new technologies and collaborations. Chapter 8 discusses the use of computer models and translational biomarkers in helping researchers move more effectively from preclinical animal studies to human clinical trials. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company researchers have been increasingly applying pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling to all stages of drug development. These models, as well as biophysical models such as those developed by Novartis and physiological models such as those developed by Entelos, can help researchers more effectively use animal model data in the design of clinical trials. In particular, they can help researchers reduce drug attrition in clinical trials due to suboptimal dosing. Chapter 6, which focuses on the mouse, concludes with a discussion of the issue of developing more predictive animal models of drug efficacy, specifically more predictive mammalian models. One main reason for researchers’ difficulties in producing predictive mouse models is major unknown factors in disease biology. Although these factors make developing predictive animal models difficult, researchers can use animal models to learn about unknown or poorly understood areas of disease biology. This is expected to lead to the development of improved animal models as well as the development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs. Developing animal models that are more predictive of efficacy is an iterative process. But progress is being made, as researchers apply new knowledge and experimental approaches in elucidating the biology of particular diseases to creation of animal models. About the Author: Allan B. Haberman, PhD, is Principal of Haberman Associates, a consulting firm specializing in science and technology strategy for pharmaceutical, biotechnology,and other life science companies. He is also a Principal and Founder of the Biopharmaceutical Consortium (www.biopharmconsortium.com), an expert team formed to assist life science companies, research groups,and emerging enterprises to identify and exploit promising,breakthrough technologies. Dr. Haberman is also the author of numerous publications on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, their technologies and products,and on the major therapeutic areas for drug discovery and development. Formerly the associate director of the Biotechnology Engineering Center at Tufts University, he received his PhD in biochemistry and molecula biology from Harvard University.
Archaeology
It is considered, in North America, to be one of the four sub-fields of anthropology. A modern archaeological project often begins with a survey.
Regional survey is the attempt to systematically locate previously unknown sites in a region.
Site survey is the attempt to systematically locate features of interest, such as houses and middens, within a site.
Each of these two goals may be accomplished with largely the same methods. Archaeological excavation existed even when the field was still the domain of amateurs, and it remains the source of the majority of data recovered in most field projects.
It can reveal several types of information usually not accessible to survey, such as stratigraphy, three-dimensional structure, and verifiably primary context. Modern excavation techniques require that the precise locations of objects and features, known as their provenance or provenience, be recorded.
This always involves determining their horizontal locations, and sometimes vertical position as well.
Similarly, their association, or relationship with nearby objects and features, needs to be recorded for later analysis.
This allows the archaeologist to deduce what artefacts and features were likely used together and which may be from different phases of activity.
For example, excavation of a site reveals its stratigraphy; if a site was occupied by a succession of distinct cultures, artefacts from more recent cultures will lie above those from more ancient cultures.
For more information about the topic Archaeology, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:
Iron Age — In archaeology, the Iron Age is the stage in the development of any people where the use of iron implements as tools and weapons is prominent. The ... > Archaeology, archeology, or archæology is the science that studies human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains and environmental data, including architecture, artifacts, biofacts, human remains and landscapes. The goals of archaeology are to document and explain the origins and development of human culture, understand culture history, chronicle cultural evolution, and study human behavior and ecology, for both prehistoric and historic societies. See also: Fossils & Ruins * Cultures * Ancient Civilizations * Anthropology * Lost Treasures * Human Evolution * Archaeology It is considered, in North America, to be one of the four sub-fields of anthropology. A modern archaeological project often begins with a survey. Regional survey is the attempt to systematically locate previously unknown sites in a region. Site survey is the attempt to systematically locate features of interest, such as houses and middens, within a site. Each of these two goals may be accomplished with largely the same methods. Archaeological excavation existed even when the field was still the domain of amateurs, and it remains the source of the majority of data recovered in most field projects. It can reveal several types of information usually not accessible to survey, such as stratigraphy, three-dimensional structure, and verifiably primary context. Modern excavation techniques require that the precise locations of objects and features, known as their provenance or provenience, be recorded. This always involves determining their horizontal locations, and sometimes vertical position as well. Similarly, their association, or relationship with nearby objects and features, needs to be recorded for later analysis. This allows the archaeologist to deduce what artefacts and features were likely used together and which may be from different phases of activity. For example, excavation of a site reveals its stratigraphy; if a site was occupied by a succession of distinct cultures, artefacts from more recent cultures will lie above those from more ancient cultures. For more information about the topic Archaeology, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles: Excavation — Excavation is the best-known and most commonly used technique within the science of archaeology. Individual excavations are normally referred to ... > read more Artifact (archaeology) — An artifact or artefact is any object made or modified by a human culture, and often one later recovered by some archaeological endeavor. Examples ... > read more Archaeological field survey — Archaeological field survey is the methodological process by which archaeologists (often landscape archaeologists) collect information about the ... > read more Iron Age — In archaeology, the Iron Age is the stage in the development of any people where the use of iron implements as tools and weapons is prominent. The ... > read more
Regional survey is the attempt to systematically locate previously unknown sites in a region.
Site survey is the attempt to systematically locate features of interest, such as houses and middens, within a site.
Each of these two goals may be accomplished with largely the same methods. Archaeological excavation existed even when the field was still the domain of amateurs, and it remains the source of the majority of data recovered in most field projects.
It can reveal several types of information usually not accessible to survey, such as stratigraphy, three-dimensional structure, and verifiably primary context. Modern excavation techniques require that the precise locations of objects and features, known as their provenance or provenience, be recorded.
This always involves determining their horizontal locations, and sometimes vertical position as well.
Similarly, their association, or relationship with nearby objects and features, needs to be recorded for later analysis.
This allows the archaeologist to deduce what artefacts and features were likely used together and which may be from different phases of activity.
For example, excavation of a site reveals its stratigraphy; if a site was occupied by a succession of distinct cultures, artefacts from more recent cultures will lie above those from more ancient cultures.
For more information about the topic Archaeology, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:
Excavation — Excavation is the best-known and most commonly used technique within the science of archaeology. Individual excavations are normally referred to ... > read more
Artifact (archaeology) — An artifact or artefact is any object made or modified by a human culture, and often one later recovered by some archaeological endeavor. Examples ... > read more
Archaeological field survey — Archaeological field survey is the methodological process by which archaeologists (often landscape archaeologists) collect information about the ... > read more
Iron Age — In archaeology, the Iron Age is the stage in the development of any people where the use of iron implements as tools and weapons is prominent. The ... > Archaeology, archeology, or archæology is the science that studies human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains and environmental data, including architecture, artifacts, biofacts, human remains and landscapes. The goals of archaeology are to document and explain the origins and development of human culture, understand culture history, chronicle cultural evolution, and study human behavior and ecology, for both prehistoric and historic societies. See also: Fossils & Ruins * Cultures * Ancient Civilizations * Anthropology * Lost Treasures * Human Evolution * Archaeology It is considered, in North America, to be one of the four sub-fields of anthropology. A modern archaeological project often begins with a survey. Regional survey is the attempt to systematically locate previously unknown sites in a region. Site survey is the attempt to systematically locate features of interest, such as houses and middens, within a site. Each of these two goals may be accomplished with largely the same methods. Archaeological excavation existed even when the field was still the domain of amateurs, and it remains the source of the majority of data recovered in most field projects. It can reveal several types of information usually not accessible to survey, such as stratigraphy, three-dimensional structure, and verifiably primary context. Modern excavation techniques require that the precise locations of objects and features, known as their provenance or provenience, be recorded. This always involves determining their horizontal locations, and sometimes vertical position as well. Similarly, their association, or relationship with nearby objects and features, needs to be recorded for later analysis. This allows the archaeologist to deduce what artefacts and features were likely used together and which may be from different phases of activity. For example, excavation of a site reveals its stratigraphy; if a site was occupied by a succession of distinct cultures, artefacts from more recent cultures will lie above those from more ancient cultures. For more information about the topic Archaeology, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles: Excavation — Excavation is the best-known and most commonly used technique within the science of archaeology. Individual excavations are normally referred to ... > read more Artifact (archaeology) — An artifact or artefact is any object made or modified by a human culture, and often one later recovered by some archaeological endeavor. Examples ... > read more Archaeological field survey — Archaeological field survey is the methodological process by which archaeologists (often landscape archaeologists) collect information about the ... > read more Iron Age — In archaeology, the Iron Age is the stage in the development of any people where the use of iron implements as tools and weapons is prominent. The ... > read more
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