Why is D. discoideum a model organisim?
Ease of Use
Grows at room temp
Unique life cycle can be observed with simple equipment, makes a good teaching tool
Unique life cycle can be observed with simple equipment, makes a good teaching tool
Human Cell Homology
It is often easier to learn about how human diseases work by looking at simpler models of eukaryotic cells and applying what we can learn from them to the study of human cell and system function. Dictyostelium discoideum is uniquely suited to the study of many key cell processes because of it's uni-to multi cellular life cycle which can be used to improve our understanding of human disease. Here are some applications of D. discoideum research to human systems;
- Cell proliferation as it correlates with the immune response, tissue maintenance and cancer
- Cell motility and tumor metastasis
- Chemotaxsis/ Singal Transduction in inflammation disorders such as arthritis, asthma and the study of axon guidance
- Cell type determination and cell sorting and pattern formation for studying embryogensis and neoplasms
- The genetics of D. discoideum can be used to study myosin mutations in cardiac myopathy
- Amoebae can also be pathogenic agents so D. discoideum can be used to study pathogenesis of amoebic dysentery, amoebic keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis