Exploring Therapeutic Strategies Through Animal Models of Cellular and Molecular Dysfunction

Understanding the molecular and cellular underpinnings of human disease is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Animal models, including zebrafish (Danio rerio), Xenopus laevis, and mice (Mus musculus), offer powerful systems for investigating the pathophysiology of disorders at a mechanistic level. These models are instrumental in mimicking human disease states and evaluating pharmacological responses in vivo.

Zebrafish, with their optical transparency, rapid development, and genetic manipulability, are ideal for high-throughput drug screening and real-time imaging of cellular processes. Their conserved signaling pathways make them particularly valuable for studying developmental disorders, neurodegeneration, and cancer.

Xenopus species, especially Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis, provide a complementary platform due to their large, accessible embryos and well-characterized developmental biology. These amphibians are widely used to explore cellular signaling, organogenesis, and regeneration, with growing applications in toxicology and gene function analysis.

Mouse models remain the gold standard for studying complex mammalian systems. Genetically engineered mice enable targeted manipulation of genes involved in cellular and molecular dysfunction, providing robust insights into disease progression and therapeutic outcomes. Their physiological similarity to humans ensures high translational relevance, especially in areas such as cancer biology, neurobiology, and immunology.

This Research Topic invites original research and reviews that utilize these and other animal models to investigate the cellular and molecular basis of disease and evaluate novel therapeutic strategies. Emphasis will be placed on translational potential, model innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches.
• Investigation of molecular and cellular pathways involved in disease progression using animal models such as zebrafish, Xenopus, and mice.
• High-throughput drug screening in model organism to identify small molecules targeting specific cellular dysfunctions.
• Use of Xenopus embryos to study early developmental defects and assess potential regenerative therapies.
• Gene editing approaches (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9) in mice and zebrafish to model genetic disorders and test gene-based interventions.
• Exploration of organ-specific diseases (e.g., neurological, cardiovascular, hepatic) at the cellular and molecular levels.
• Identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets through integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, or metabolomic studies in animal models.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Zebrafish, Embryogenesis, Developmental pathway, Xenopus, Mouse model

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.