NEWS ALERT
For Immediate Release
An Impending Crisis in the Provision of Histopathology Expertise
for Mouse Functional Genomics
Research paper publishing today in the Journal of Pathology
The generation of new mouse models of human disease is accelerating rapidly due to the
completion of whole-genome sequencing efforts and technological advances in the
manipulation of the mouse genome. The speed of progress in this endeavour has
highlighted the shortage of experts to fully characterise the new mouse lines produced.
A European Commission (EC)-funded strategy initiative (PRIME) now reports a study on the
provision of the specific pathology expertise in mouse functional genomics. The paper by
Warren et al. reveals that in Europe there is a critical lack of the specific expertise needed to
understand the pathology of mutant mice, and that much of the work is being carried out by
pathologists in clinical diagnostic posts, often with little support or training in comparative
pathology. Similar concerns have recently been voiced by pathologists in North America.
The results indicate a lack of both trainees and provision of specialist training in this field,
with the availability of diagnostic expertise and advice falling far short of the number of
genetically engineered mice (GEM) being generated for analysis. This has lead to the
worrying trend of “DIY” pathology and the inaccurate reporting of pathological data in
scientific journals.
The paper highlights the critical need for a coordinated approach to the specialist training of
pathologists in laboratory mouse pathology and genetics, and the urgent need for investment
in a training infrastructure for Europe.
View the abstract online at
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121427244/abstract
Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact
Jennifer Beal / Wiley-Blackwell PR Team
Tel: +44 (0) 1243 770633
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E-mail: wbnewseurope@wiley.com
To arrange an interview with an author, please contact:
Dr. Madhuri Warren, mvw@pathologydiagnostics.com
Notes to Editors
1. Full citation: An impending crisis in the provision of histopathology expertise for mouse
functional genomics. MV Warren, ML Studley, P Dubus, L Fiette, B Rozell, L QuintanillaMartinez, M Raspa, M Breuer, J-Y Song, H Gates, SDM Brown, P N Schofield. J Pathol.
(2008), DOI: 10.1002/path.2460
2. The journal of the Pathological Society, The Journal of Pathology, aims to serve as a bridge
between basic biomedical science and clinical medicine with particular emphasis on
morphologically based studies. The main interests of the Journal lie in understanding the
pathophysiological and pathogenetic mechanisms of human disease. The Journal of
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