Moths like Galleria mellonella are emerging as promising alternatives to mice in laboratory research due to their similar immune responses to infections.
For decades, mice have been the go-to laboratory animals due to their genetic resemblance to humans, sharing approximately 95-98% of the same genes. This has enabled researchers to study human diseases effectively, taking advantage of mice's short lifecycles and genetic manipulability. However, recent studies suggest that the wax moth, Galleria mellonella, poses a significant challenge to the traditional dominance of mice in research settings.
The wax moth exhibits a surprisingly similar immune system to that of humans, even though it shares only about 30-40% of the essential functional genes. This groundbreaking finding indicates that Galleria mellonella is not only a viable alternative for infection studies but may offer unique insights into human immune responses. The moth's ability to thrive at human body temperature (37 degrees Celsius) further enhances its suitability for laboratory research, making it an attractive organism for various scientific investigations.
As researchers explore the potential of Galleria mellonella, the implications extend beyond mere animal models; they could lead to significant shifts in how scientific research is conducted. If the wax moth proves to be as effective, or even more so, than mice in understanding diseases and developing treatments, it could revolutionize laboratory practices and contribute to more ethical research approaches, reducing the reliance on mammalian models.
