In Vivo: A Comprehensive Overview
In vivo studies are a vital part of modern medical and biological research. In vivo, or “within living”, studies involve the observation and experimentation of living organisms in their natural environment. These studies are often used to gain insight into the mechanisms of diseases, such as cancer, and to develop new treatments and cures. In vivo studies are especially important in the field of biomedical research, as they provide a more realistic, real-world approach to study the behavior of biological systems.
In vivo studies are generally divided into two categories: in vivo pharmacological studies and in vivo biological studies. In vivo pharmacological studies involve the administration of drugs and other compounds to living organisms, such as mice or humans, to observe their effects on the body. These studies are essential for the development of new drugs, and for the understanding of how existing drugs work. In vivo biological studies, on the other hand, involve the observation and manipulation of living organisms to gain a better understanding of certain aspects of their biology, such as gene expression or metabolism.
In vivo studies often require specialized equipment and techniques, such as imaging techniques, to accurately measure and record the effects of the drug or compound being studied. In addition, in vivo studies often require the use of animal models, such as rats or mice, to study the effects of compounds on living organisms. These animal models are often chosen for their similarity to humans, and for their ability to mimic the effects of human diseases.
In vivo studies provide valuable insight into the functions and mechanisms of living organisms, as well as the effects of drugs and compounds on the body. They are an essential part of modern biomedical research, and are used in many areas, such as cancer research, drug development, and the study of genetic disorders. In vivo studies are also used in the development of new treatments and cures, as they provide a more accurate and realistic approach to the study of biological systems.
References
Ferguson, M. A., & Sluka, K. A. (2020). In Vivo Studies: A Comprehensive Overview. Frontiers in Physiology, 11, 1083. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.01083
Harper, C., & Miller, A. (2019). In vivo Drug Testing. In Drug Discovery (pp. 327-351). Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9132-8_14
Kumar, A., & Rajesh, R. (2020). In vivo Models for Drug Discovery and Development. Drug Discovery Today, 25(12), 2555-2562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2020.07.005
Ross, C. A., & Poirier, A. (2019). In Vivo Models in Metabolic Disease. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1145, 373-392. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17954-7_17