WARF TECHNOLOGIES

Rodents and other small animals are extensively used as models to study human health and disease, but there are increasing concerns about their relevance. Research funding and regulatory agencies are beginning to demand that large translational animal models be used instead, especially for studies pertaining to the development/validation of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.

Swine are well suited for these studies given their genetic proximity to humans and similarities in anatomy, body function and diet. However, years of selective breeding for meat production has resulted in fast-growing, muscular swine. Such conventional breeds are unsuitable for modeling human physiology and disease.

UW–Madison researchers have developed a novel line called “Wisconsin Miniature Swine,” or WMS, that is well suited to biomedical research and genetic modeling of human diseases. The animals’ body weight, size and composition are similar to humans and can be manipulated easily. For example, on an unrestricted feeding regimen, WMS become obese and appear to develop the hallmarks of metabolic syndrome.

• Swine breed for biomedical research, preclinical testing and genetic modeling of human disease

• Weight, size and composition are similar to humans and easily manipulated.
• Friendlier and easier to work with than conventional breeds
• Maintained in a special pathogen-free facility

The WMS line was created in 2010 and is maintained in the University of Wisconsin’s pathogen-free swine facility.

For More Information About the Inventors

• Jess Reed
• Dhanansayan Shanmuganayagam
• Thomas Crenshaw

Related Technologies

• WARF reference number P140228US01 describes a sub-line of Wisconsin Miniature Swine that are hypercholesterolemic and ideal for studying cardiovascular disease.

Tech Fields

• Drug Discovery & Development : Disease models
• Research Tools : Animal & disease models