The term "CFTR Mice" refers to a strain of mice bred with a mutation in the CFTR gene, which causes cystic fibrosis. The spelling of CFTR is fairly straightforward, with each letter pronounced individually: /siː ɛf tiː ɑːr/. However, the pronunciation of "mice" may be less intuitive for non-native English speakers: /maɪs/. Together, "CFTR Mice" is pronounced /siː ɛf tiː ɑːr maɪs/. These mice are commonly used in research to study the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis and to develop potential treatments.
CFTR mice refer to a genetically modified strain of laboratory mice that have been developed to study the functions and effects of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. CFTR is a crucial protein responsible for regulating the movement of ions across cell membranes, particularly in the epithelial cells of the lungs, pancreas, and other organs.
In CFTR mice, the mouse CFTR gene is either modified or completely replaced with the human CFTR gene to mimic the genetic mutation found in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). This enables researchers to investigate the pathophysiology of CF and study potential therapeutic interventions.
CFTR mice are widely used in scientific research to explore the role of CFTR in various organs and tissues affected by cystic fibrosis. These mice exhibit similar phenotypic characteristics and symptoms observed in humans with CF, such as lung infection susceptibility, intestinal obstruction, and impaired pancreatic function.
By studying CFTR mice, researchers can gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of cystic fibrosis, develop new diagnostic tools, and test potential treatments and therapies. These mice serve as valuable animal models in preclinical research, helping to enhance our understanding of cystic fibrosis and ultimately aid in the development of more effective treatments for this genetic disorder.
The term "CFTR Mice" is not a word, but rather a combination of an abbreviation and a common noun.
CFTR stands for Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, which is a protein involved in membrane transport. It is associated with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and other organs.
Mice, on the other hand, refers to plural of the noun "mouse", which is a small mammal commonly used in scientific research.
Therefore, "CFTR Mice" is a phrase used to refer to laboratory mice that have been genetically modified to exhibit characteristics related to the CFTR protein and cystic fibrosis research. There is no specific etymology for this combination of words as they are technical terms in the field of biology.