Mouse-based phenogenomics for modelling human disease

The powerful and wide-ranging genetic tools available in the laboratory mou se make it the major experimental model for studying mammalian gene functio n in vivo and modelling human disease traits. Large-scale random mutagenesi s approaches, either gene-driven or phenotype-driven, promise to identify n ew clinically relevant phenotypes and their associated genes. Development o f appropriate tools for assessing clinical phenotypes in mice is a crucial component of these endeavours, as is the establishment of the infrastructur e for archiving and distribution of the growing mutant resource to the comm unity. Integrated, multidisciplinary programs will be needed to fully explo it the power of the mouse in molecular medicine.