Technology Development Units
Animal models in preclinical research
In pre-clinical research, studies are often conducted with cells or tissues derived from humans or animals. However, the transferability of the results from such in vitro studies, which take place outside a living organism, has its limits. Therefore, they are usually followed by so-called in vivo studies: Here, the studies are carried out using living organisms, i.e. directly on animals or humans. Animals used for research are called animal models. Studies on animal models belong to preclinical research. Studies on humans belong to clinical research.