Similarities and differences between mice and humans revealed

Powerful clues have been discovered about why the human immune system, metabolism, stress response, and other life functions are so different from those of the mouse. A new, comprehensive study of the mouse genome by an international group of researchers including Penn State University scientists reveals striking similarities and differences with the human genome. The study may lead to better use of mouse models in medical research. The findings are reported by the Mouse ENCODE Consortium online on Nov. 19, and in print on Nov. 20 in the study's main paper in Nature and in several other recent and future publications. They examine the genetic and biochemical programs involved in regulating mouse and human genomes.