Humanized model mice by genome editing and engraftment technologies

Purpose of review In drug development, non-clinical studies are performed to evaluate the feasibility, iterative testing and safety of a drug. To harness this process, small animal models which are inexpensive, and easy to breed and maintain such as mice and rats are preferred for non-clinical studies. However, humans and these animals share a large portion of genetic makeup, but genetic and physiological gaps are unavoidable. Efforts to address this innate difference between humans and animals have been made by establishing a so called ‘humanized’ mouse. In this review, we summarize the scope of the ‘humanization’ with genome editing technology as well as with cell/ tissue engraftment.