Cell‐based Systems as an Alternative to Animal Models

Contents Recent advances in molecular and cellular techniques highlight the potential use of different kinds of somatic, as well as embryonic and adult stem cell types in efficient and rapid in vitro test systems. The rapidly progressing genome sequencing projects will permit studies based on sequence‐defined cell lines. Thus a combination of genomic data, molecular tools and appropriate cells together with a spectrum of high throughput analysis methods, such as cDNA arrays, two‐hybrid analysis, Maldi‐TOF spectrometry and protein chips will produce powerful test systems for target gene, as well as target protein identification and for toxicological and pharmacogenetic testing. These studies will be performed first in vitro but subsequently cellular test systems will additionally be required. The modern cell factory allows the researcher to answer specific questions about the role of genes, proteins and metabolites, as well as several other factors. The employment of embryonic stem cells and sophisticated methods to direct their differentiation towards desired mature cell types or differentiation states, will allow investigation into the molecular switches controlling embryonic development, differentiation, tumorigenicity and teratogenicity. The topic of this article is whether cell‐based systems could be an alternative to the usage of animal, or more precisely whether cell‐based systems could probably be the better alternative?