Invertebrate Model Systems of Disease Identification - Coursework Example

Invertebrate Model Systems of Disease Identification Invertebrate Model Systems of Disease Identification Today’s biological scientists have done a remarkable job arbitrating given natural phenomena related to loosening the organic systems models. Fossel, 2004 posits that this, propelled by the invertebrate models, that has made studies and discoveries on complex animals possible, otherwise complex animal systems would still be difficult to understand or study. The models, coupled with molecular medicine, made it possible to discover diseases such as the Alzheimer and Parkinson and other natural phenomena for instance aging (Petersen, 2003). Introduction Any studies on diseases conducted on humans is usually a tricky one considering the fact that it is said to be unorthodox. It is due to this reason that researchers opt using other organisms, both vertebrates and invertebrates so as to use their DNA, developmental pathways, and metabolic conservation to provide a basis of comparison with other related organisms. Scientists select organisms with sources biological data then the results are used to aid study other complex organisms (Boyd, 2010). In other words, factors such as the organism’s natural behaviors, biological and biomechanical characteristics function of the smallest component of an organisms for instance the organelles, proteins, and other larger body parts such as the tissues are all scrutinized for experimental manipulation. After the research on the organisms is completed, the findings made are then used to aid the understanding of disease causes, etiology, symptoms, prevention and treatment. Literature Review Invertebrate model system in regard to molecular medicine takes into consideration the characteristics embedded in the neurological structure of invertebrates that helps the organism deal with the environmental changes occurring around them. It is this mechanism that scholars such as Miwa (2008) have looked into in relation to how they equip the organism with an ability to develop their own ways of coping with the changes around them. Other scholars have had a different perspective over the matter. Okamula et al., (2007), compares the reflexes or rather the ability to handle changes in the environment with the individual nervous system of the organisms and suggests that they do so involuntarily. Borrowing from these researchers, it goes without saying that the there exists developmental disorders of the nervous system that are often responsible for causing diseases in humans such as Myasthenia gravis and Parkinson disease. While there are those who support the above idea, some critics have come to question the invertebrates models stating that they assume all invertebrates have similar cognitive behavior whenever they are in given taming procedures or are under a study environment. Other researchers support the idea that both invertebrates and vertebrates models have a lot of help in the identification of diseases that affect humans. Disadvantage of Invertebrate Model System in Molecular Medicine There are several disadvantages associated with the use of invertebrate models systems. The most common, however, is the fact that the invertebrates have a very short life cycle therefore bringing about complications during generalization of results after the experimental manipulations have been conducted. Since the morphological divergence is usually very subtle among most insects under the experiments, understanding their biological feature background information becomes very difficult. Mechanisms of Invertebrate Model Systems for Disease Identification The studies conducted on the insects can often be spontaneous inductive invertebrate model, sometimes contrary, experimental, or orphan. Nonetheless, the model systems inarguably serve their purpose as seen below in this paper. The experimental invertebrates models used in the identification of diseases is normally based on the phenotype procedures and conditions in humans but in this case artificially inducing conditions and treatment in insects or any other invertebrates. Mice are used in the study of hemorrhage stroke in that they receive a blood injection on their basal ganglia. The experimentation is what is used to develop treatment for human beings suffering from this form of stroke. On the other hand, the spontaneous invertebrate models used in the identification of diseases in humans is conducted through analyzing how certain organisms under study behave in a natural environment. In general, the invertebrates are used as control tests and experiments in the study of diseases related to human beings. The main reason the invertebrates may be prefered to vertebrates in relation to the models of study is that the fore offers adequate genetic accessibility as their bodies are usually smaller. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Mechanism The common Alzheimers disease (AD) is a progressive and age-related issue connected with beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptide statements in reference to amyloid course theory. Vincent, (2012) states that Aβ misfolding and Aβ adaptation foundation are then presented to gathering toward oneself creating an onset of the neurodegenerative progression. The degenerative methodology is in this way emulated by intermolecular totals that are created by a biochemical flimsiness brought about by expanded amyloid regular gatherings and beta-sheet arrangements. Collected amyloidal fibrils amassing with dangerous protein substances cause interruption of calcium balance in the influenced human cells instigating apoptosis of death of the cells in question. To add on that, the cell demise procedure continues with restraint of particular enzymatic capacity and initiation of different incendiary reaction. Molecular Diagnosis And Disease Identification Restorative testing and diagnosis employs the use of molecular disease identification and analysis through the application of organic genome or proteome markers. In a straightforward explanation, we would say that molecular diagnosis instruments are utilized as a part of deciding the dangers of getting or having a different attribute and also keeping a disease in check. Also, the analysis offers customized medicinal intercession in connection to improvement and treatment. Hereditary expectations about understanding the safe capacity and clinical science of illness creating elements can likewise be understood. The initial stages of the Alzheimer disease is marked with some loss of memory or rather the impairment of the patient of the individual’s cognitive ability. Later on, the individual experiences gradual to severe dementia and confusion as the disease progresses. The late stages of the disease often call for development supportive care of the patient. Generally, what occurs in the patient during the treatment of AD is the reduction of the progerin protein that is responsible for aging. This is done through the application of growth hormone while simultaneously using Zoledronate drugs to block the production of proteins responsible for farnesyl mutation. There are other methods that are used to treat the disease. Common ones include hormone supplementations, cosmetic procedures and also nutritional supplementations. Additionally, maintaining the body’s physique and its mental ability are key methods of keeping the disease in check. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Gene Experimentation Data Mutation in the genome of mice is usually triggered through the use of chemicals and radiation to aid in the development of undirected driven mutation disease. In directed driven process, however, simpler methods are used. Transgenesis invertebrate model and knock-ins are such simpler techniques used. The fore, as used in the treatment of the AD is produced through the introduction of foreign genetic material to the nuclear cells of the embryo under study thus hindering gene expression. In the case of knock-ins in nematodes, the organisms are manipulated after which they are screened for any signs of cell differentiation and developing process. The use of nematodes instead of transgenic worms in the study of pathogenesis of the AD is because the latter have increased Aβ and the C. production. In nematodes, on the other hand, their elegans genomes are closely related to the APP genes in humans. In other words, after the experimentation, an increased amyloidal fibrils and amyloidal deposition are verified in intercellular location of the nematodes mostly in their larva and adult stage. It is this information that comes in handy in the study of the Alzheimer’ disease. Parkinson’s disease mechanism In this disease, the brain cell suffers from loss of dopamine selecting cells which consequently leads to the individual suffering from complications related to dopamine selection in the brain. The accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein in the brain follows the death of brain cells that result to the progress into other regions of the brain which ultimately leads to a neural collapse. Additionally, there may result death of other cells in the brain thus leading to reduced respiration due to death of mitochondria. This is coupled by the accrual of iron in the Substantia Negra. Generally, this accumulation of the iron in the part of brain leads to loss of muscle rigidity, tremors, and postural instability. Parkinson Disease Gene Experimentation Data The manipulated fly is placed under observation and deductions made in relation to a deficit of behavior and also the accumulation of LB-like disorder. Additionally, the flies exhibit α-synuclein gene protein characteristics in a notable inclusion of pan-neurological pattern. The missing behavior characteristics in the fly translate to the symptoms associated with the disease. They include slowed body movements including reflexes, posture impairments and difficulty in flying. Proper understanding of the disease in the flies is what facilitates the understanding of the disease in humans. Drosophila model system The comparison of the genetic material of the drosophila to that of human beings. Courtesy of Alzheimer, C. (2003). Molecular and cellular biology of neuroprotection in the CNS. New York, Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers. Conversely, the fly expresses increased sensitivity to oxidative stress which leads to loss of an understanding in relation to how the human body behaves after contracting the disease. In most cases, there is damage to the neurons as seen in the Drosophila fly itself. The mutation of PINK-1 gene in the fly, dopamibergic neural degeneration results in the degeneration of the flight muscles, defect of the mitochondria, and decreased locomotion. On the other hand, the loss of function in drosophila is seen in human PINK-1 gene mutation as any other trait that the Parkinson disease can cause. Conclusion The best way to make use of the models discussed in this paper is through using them both. While it is considered unethical to use human specimens, the use of both invertebrates and vertebrates animal model systems proves very effective in both the understanding and identifying of diseases affecting human beings. In this case, it is evident that the modification of the animal model system can form a very good basis of contrasting and comparing the health disorders associated with people and ultimately develop ways through which the diseases can be dealt with. References Boyd, M. R. (2010). Alzheimers disease diagnosis and treatments. Hauppauge, N.Y., Nova Science. Fossel, M. (2004). Cells, aging, and human disease. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Miwa, S., Beckman, K. B., & Muller, F. L. (2008). Oxidative stress in aging from model systems to human diseases. New York, Springer. Okamura, M., Yokoyama, N., Takabatake, N., Okubo, K., Ikehara, Y., & Igarashi, I. (2007). Modification of Host Erythrocyte Membranes by Trypsin and Chymotrypsin Treatments and Effects on the In Vitro Growth of Bovine and Equine Babesia Parasites. Journal of Parasitology. 93, 208-211. Petersen, R. C. (2003). Mild cognitive impairment aging to Alzheimers disease. Oxford, Oxford University Press Vincent, J. L. (2012). Annual update in intensive care and emergency medicine 2012. Berlin, Springer. Read More