International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 9-17 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 11 On the other hand, retinal pigment epithelial cells is also crucial for the maintenance of visual function. The enzyme encoded by the RPE65 gene plays a critical role in the metabolism of retinaldehyde in the retina, helping the retina maintain the homeostasis of vitamin A. Mutations in RPE65 disrupt vitamin A metabolism, ultimately leading to RPED. Therefore, a profound understanding of these biological mechanisms is crucial for the treatment of hereditary blindness. The molecular basis research of hereditary blindness lays the foundation for the development of gene editing therapies, allowing interventions specific to particular genetic mutations. It is hoped that this therapeutic approach will bring new hope to individuals affected by blindness. 2 Importance of Mouse Models 2.1 Introduction to the advantages of mice as biomedical research models Mice serve as widely utilized models in the scientific community for biomedical research, owing to their numerous advantages. Mice share a significant genetic resemblance with humans, with many genes exhibiting similar functions and structures in both species. This genetic similarity makes mice an ideal model for studying human diseases. In the investigation of hereditary blindness, the genetic similarity of mice plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanisms behind relevant genetic mutations (Gurumurthy and Lloyd, 2019). Mice exhibit rapid growth and have a short reproductive cycle, enabling scientists to conduct large-scale experiments and breed a substantial number of experimental animals within a relatively short timeframe. This is particularly important for the study of hereditary blindness, as it involves the analysis of gene mutations and the validation of therapeutic approaches. Research on mouse models benefits from a rich array of genetic tools, including various gene-editing technologies, mutant mouse libraries, and tools for analyzing genetic alterations (Figure 2). These tools empower researchers to precisely manipulate mouse genes, facilitating the study of genetic variations related to blindness. Mouse experiments can be easily conducted in controlled laboratory environments, allowing researchers to adjust factors such as temperature, light exposure, diet, and other variables to simulate different physiological conditions. This is crucial for studying the influencing factors of hereditary blindness. Figure 2 Mouse model (Source: Wikipedia) 2.2 Discussion on the application of mouse models in hereditary blindness research Mouse models play a crucial role in the study of hereditary blindness, providing valuable information and opportunities to understand disease mechanisms and develop treatment methods. By introducing specific genetic mutations or mutant mouse models, scientists can simulate different types of hereditary blindness, such as retinitis pigmentosa degeneration and hereditary cataracts. These models contribute to the study of blindness mechanisms, identification of key factors leading to blindness, and exploration of potential therapeutic targets. Mouse models are also employed to validate the effectiveness of gene therapy strategies. Scientists can use gene-editing
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