Crispr gene-editing creates wave of exotic model organisms

But without tools for studying the genetic and brain mechanisms behind the beetles’ behaviour, Parker focused his PhD research on Drosophila fruit flies — an established model organism. Biologists have embraced CRISPR’s ability to quickly and cheaply modify the genomes of popular model organisms, such as mice, fruit flies and monkeys. Despite such promising early results, the push to create model organisms with CRISPR has revealed how little is known about many species’ genomes, life cycles and habits.

Source: www.nature.com