Animal models

Animal models are live animal species used to reproduce human pathological conditions, allowing the study of the origin and the evolution of diseases and the development of new therapies.

Due to their physiological and genetic similarity with humans, these models provide crucial insights to understand the mechanisms of disease and assess the efficacy and safety of new treatments.

Avantea uses mainly pig models for their remarkable physiological similarity to humans.

  • Understanding the mechanisms of disease
    The biological processes that cause diseases, observing how they progress
    over time.
  • Nuclear transfer
    Innovative treatments are tested safely and evaluated before use on humans.
  • Xenotransplantation
    Compatible organs and tissues are developed for transplants between species, offering solutions to the shortage of human donor organs.
  • Study of rare genetic diseases
    Complex human pathologies are reproduced to understand the genetic causes and develop targeted therapies.
  • Development of personalised therapies
    Models are genetically modified animals to mimic specific human conditions, allowing for tailor-made treatments and accelerating the search for innovative treatments.

 

Thanks to these applications, Avantea’s animal models represent an essential tool for advancing biomedical research and personalized medicine.

Generation of an animal model

Avantea uses a highly innovative approach that combines genetic engineering and somatic cloning to develop pig models with specific genetic characteristics.

This advanced process allows the creation of pigs that faithfully reproduce human pathological conditions, making them essential tools for biomedical research and the development of new therapies.

Collaborations and research projects

Avantea participates in national and European research projects, working with scientific institutions and universities to advance the study of xenotransplantation and the use of pigs as biomedical and biotechnological models.

Funded research projects of the European Union

Avantea took part in SuperPig, financed by the Lombardy Region.
Avantea is actively involved in the biotechnology start-up ecosystem, in particular as a founding member of Xenothera, to which it contributes the most innovative pig models in the field.

The process of generation

  • Genetic modification
    Somatic cells (such as fibroblasts) are genetically modified to introduce or remove specific genes using advanced genetic engineering technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9.
    This allows them to reproduce mutations in human genes responsible for rare diseases or develop traits useful for biomedical applications, such as xenotransplantation.
  • Somatic cloning
    Genetically modified cells are used to create cloned embryos through the Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) technique. In this process, the modified cell nucleus is transferred into oocytes deprived of their nucleus, generating embryos with the desired genetic profile.
  • Gestation and birth of the animal model
    Cloned embryos are implanted in recipient sows, who complete the gestation. At the end of the process, pigs are born possessing the predetermined genetic characteristics, making them ideal for studying human diseases and advanced biomedical applications.

This technology enables the generation of human genetic disease models and the development of pigs with genetic characteristics useful for xenotransplantation and the biotechnology industry.

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