Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
An impending crisis in the provision of histopathology expertise for mouse functional genomics.
- Journal:
- The Journal of pathology
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Warren, M V et al.
- Affiliation:
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute · United Kingdom
- Species:
- rodent
Plain-English summary
Researchers are noticing a growing problem in finding enough trained experts to analyze tissue samples from mice that are used in studies of human diseases. As scientists create more genetically modified mice to understand these diseases better, they are struggling to keep up with the demand for specialized analysis. Most of the work is being done by pathologists who are qualified but may not have specific training in this area, and there aren't enough new trainees entering the field. This shortage means that the number of experts available is not enough to meet the needs of the increasing number of mouse models being developed. The study suggests that more focus on recruiting, training, and funding pathologists is needed to address this issue in Europe.
Abstract
The generation of new mouse models of human disease is accelerating rapidly, due to the completion of whole-genome sequencing efforts and technological advances in the manipulation of the mouse genome. We sought to investigate manpower issues in the provision of histopathology expertise for mouse functional genomics and compared this to the perceived demand from principal investigators (PIs). Through the European Commission (EC)-funded PRIME pathology training initiative, two questionnaires were devised to collect information from pathologists and EC-funded PIs on the current provision of mouse histopathology expertise in Europe and the demands for this service. We find that pathological analysis is being performed almost exclusively by professionally qualified pathologists, generally employed in clinical diagnostic posts, where the work is undertaken as collaboration outside of their contractual commitments but without previous training in veterinary or comparative pathology. The results indicate that there is a lack of both trainees and provision of specialist training in this field. Unsurprisingly, the availability of diagnostic expertise and advice falls far short of the number of genetically engineered mice (GEM) being generated for analysis. We analyse these results with reference to previous studies and discuss solutions for the future recruitment, training and funding for pathologists in mouse functional genomics in Europe.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19016567/