Biologists rely on animal models to answer important questions that can’t be addressed with cells in a dish. Often, these animals are deliberately inbred; a less diverse population of animals means that data obtained from experiments with these animals will be less noisy and easier to interpret, so fewer animals are needed for meaningful results. Other “non-model” organisms like hamsters and gerbils are usually outbred. In theory, this means that the animal population being used has greater genetic variation, but in practice, it simply means that siblings are not intentionally mated to create truly inbred strains. In a report published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, Brekke et al. set out to determine the amount of genetic variation in separate colonies of supposedly outbred Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguicalatus).
The authors used high-throughput sequencing to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in three separate colonies of gerbils. They found that each population had unique SNPs, suggesting genetic divergence between the populations. This is particularly noteworthy because all three colonies were started using gerbils purchased from the same source—so, ostensibly, they should be genetically indistinguishable. The authors point out that the realities of maintaining an animal colony make it impossible for such similarity to be maintained long term; animals are moved, new colonies are started, and logistical and ethical realities all mean that divergence due to genetic drift and founder effects is the rule, not the exception.
That isolated colonies can harbor dramatic genetic differences may contribute to the so-called replication crisis. If two independent researchers believe they are using genetically identical populations—but they’re not truly the same—their results can be inconsistent or unrepeatable. For example, previous reports have stated that genetic diversity in gerbil populations is relatively low, but these reports are biased by divergence in the “outbred” population being studied. While isolated colonies of laboratory animals are susceptible to becoming less genetically diverse, Brekke et al.’s findings suggest that diversity is maintained across many different populations. Effective breeding using different colonies could capture a range of diversity more representative of wild populations.
Although animal models are often described as either “inbred” or “outbred,” perhaps merely labeling a model as “outbred” is misleading. The authors recommend using sequencing to characterize variation within laboratory animal populations before designing studies, allowing the results to be properly interpreted.
CITATION
Science Writing and Communications Intern, Genetics Society of America.
View all posts by Marisa Wexler »Read more in
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Julio Molina Pineda
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Julio Molina Pineda Policy and Advocacy University of Arkansas Research Interest My research interests focus on using model organisms to genetically dissect complex traits related to human disease. My…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Peiwei Chen
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Peiwei Chen Accessibility Subcommittee California Institute of Technology Research Interest Far from a harmonious place, the genome is a battleground, where every bit of DNA fights for inheritance and…
-
#Dros23 GSA Poster Award winners
We are pleased to announce the GSA Poster Award winners from the 64th Annual Drosophila Research Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of the GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of postdocs volunteered their time as judges. Congratulations to all! Undergraduate Students 1st Place: Sofia Karter Lopez, University of Toronto “Rab11 mediates E-cadherin recycling during…
-
Congratulations to the Fall 2022 DeLill Nasser Awardees!
GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Fall 2022! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…
-
New editors join GENETICS, G3 editorial boards
Several new editors are joining the GSA Journals. We’re excited to welcome Ricardo Zayas to the GENETICS editorial board under the Molecular Genetics of Development section, and on the G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics board, we welcome Polly Campbell, Kevin Vogel, Joe Parker, and Ricardo Mallarino. Ricardo Zayas Associate Editor Ricardo Zayas is a Professor of Biology at…
-
Worms and Flies Provide Key Clues to Medical Mystery
This article is part of a series of posts outlining the history and impact of research in experimental organisms. The series is developed in collaboration with the GSA Public Communications and Engagement Committee. By the time Bertrand Might was six months old, it was clear something was amiss. His muscles weren’t developing normally; he was…
-
Congratulations to the 2023 Early Career Leadership Program Cohort!
The Genetics Society of America (GSA) is excited to announce the latest cohort of student, postdoc, and early-career research leaders joining the Early Career Leadership Program. Participants receive training and mentoring while serving on committees charged with understanding the needs, interests, concerns, and challenges of early career scientist members of the GSA. As part of…
-
GSA LOCI: Local Outreach Community Initiatives @ GSA Conferences
Highlights: Local Outreach Community Initiatives (LOCI): The Genetics Society of America is committed to supporting the communities of the host cities of our conferences. This new year, we are excited to reconnect with our GSA community in meaningful ways within and beyond our existing programming. The GSA membership has created a caring and supportive environment…
-
New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2023–2025
We are pleased to announce the election of five new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2023 Vice President/2024 President Mariana Wolfner Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow My research has focused on the genes and pathways that mediate sexual development and reproduction, primarily in Drosophila. From…
-
Lance David Miller: Lighting Your Own Fire by Finding the Right Resources
By Daniel J. Gironda In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the…
-
Graça Almeida-Porada: The Importance of Communication in a Technologically Advancing World
By Daniel J. Gironda In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the…