Table 1 Genome programs and biological advantages of different model organisms
Organism | Genome Analysis in Progress | Biological Analysis |
|---|---|---|
Escherichia coli | Genome sequence (nearly complete) | Genetics, biochemistry |
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) | Genome sequence (complete) | Genetics, genetic manipulation, cell biology, biochemistry |
Caenorhabditis elegans (nematode worm) | Genome sequence (∼50% complete) | Development, cell biology, genetics, genetic manipulation |
Drosophila melanogaster (fruitfly) | Genome sequence | Genetics, development, cell biology, genetic manipulation |
Fugu rubipiens (puffer fish) | Genome analysis—telescoped genome (1/8 of human) | Comparative mapping, genomic organization |
Danio rerio (zebrafish) | Genome mapping of mutants | Developmental mutant selection (vertebrate) |
Mus musculus (mouse) | Genome mapping Gene mapping, isolation, and identification | Genetics, development, and developmental manipulation; cell biology, physiology, some disease models. Comparative mapping |
Homo sapiens (human) | Genome mapping and sequence Gene mapping, isolation, and identification—large scale | Genetics, physiology, well-characterized variant and disease phenotypes, and disease progression in outbred populations |