Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Immunofluorescent staining of human salivary-gland-derived organoids. Acinar cell markers, aquaporin 5 (green) and keratin 18 (red), are positive in inner cells of the organoids. Nuclei are stained with DAPI (blue). See article by Yoshimoto et al. (dmm045054). Cover image is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. - PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of contents
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EDITORIAL
Travel grants and how to use them (when there's no travel)
Summary: This Editorial discusses how DMM and its publisher, The Company of Biologists, have adapted the financial support they provide to the biological community in these unprecedented times.
FIRST PERSON
CLINICAL PUZZLE
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: current concepts from bench to bedside
Summary: Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a rare disease characterised by progressive heterotopic bone formation. Here, we present a comprehensive summary of the recent literature on this debilitating condition and discuss approaches to solving this clinical puzzle.
SPECIAL ARTICLE
Cell and animal models of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and immunity
Summary: This Special Article discusses the current model systems to study the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes COVID-19.
REVIEW
Neonatal and infant immunity for tuberculosis vaccine development: importance of age-matched animal models
Summary: Vaccine development for tuberculosis requires understanding of neonatal and infant immunity. Here, we compare the animal models of neonatal and infant immunity and highlight the potential of piglets as important models for vaccine development.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Pre-existing antibody-mediated adverse effects prevent the clinical development of a bacterial anti-inflammatory protein
Summary: Chemotaxis inhibitory protein of Staphylococcus aureus dampens C5a-mediated responses in human-C5aR1 knock-in mice. Feasibility studies in a human phase I trial failed due to high levels of existing natural antibodies causing adverse effects.
Inhibition of Alk signaling promotes the induction of human salivary-gland-derived organoids
Summary: Human salivary-gland-derived organoids can be used for in vitro analyses of the morphological and functional changes associated with salivary gland diseases and dysfunctions.
Disturbed nitric oxide signalling gives rise to congenital bicuspid aortic valve and aortopathy
Summary: Nitric oxide defects link bicuspid aortic valve formation and aortopathy through inhibition of elastic fibre formation in vascular smooth muscle cells within the ascending aorta of Nos3−/− mice.
Pathological evaluation of rats carrying in-frame mutations in the dystrophin gene: a new model of Becker muscular dystrophy
Editor's choice: The newly established rat model carrying in-frame mutations in the Dmd gene exhibits the dystrophic phenotype and abnormal dystrophin expression profile, similar to patients with Becker muscular dystrophy.
Longitudinal neuroanatomical and behavioral analyses show phenotypic drift and variability in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome
Summary: Comparative analyses of temporal cohorts of the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome reveal phenotypic variability affecting neurodevelopment and learning and memory behaviors, calling into question the validity of this model.
Cercosporamide inhibits bone morphogenetic protein receptor type I kinase activity in zebrafish
Summary: Cercosporamide, a metabolite from the fungus Ascochyta aquiliqiae, was identified as a potent bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR) type I kinase inhibitor through a zebrafish embryo phenotypic screen.
A novel mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy carrying a multi-exonic Dmd deletion exhibits progressive muscular dystrophy and early-onset cardiomyopathy
Summary: The Dmd Δ52-54 mouse model, which carries a deletion of Dmd exons 52-54, emulates Duchenne muscular dystrophy disease progression in skeletal muscle and has early onset of cardiac functional abnormalities.
Rabphilin involvement in filtration and molecular uptake in Drosophila nephrocytes suggests a similar role in human podocytes
Summary: Rabphilin is necessary for the maintenance of Drosophila nephrocytes. Knockdown of Rabphilin causes deregulation of the filtration and the reabsorption processes, which are restored by the administration of retinoic acid.
Circulating exosomal microRNAs as potential biomarkers of hepatic injury and inflammation in a murine model of glycogen storage disease type 1a
Summary: Mice with glycogen storage disease type 1a (GSD1a) show altered expression of several microRNAs, correlated with various pathologic liver states. This might help us to understand the progression of the disease and the development of late GSD1a-associated complications.
DMM Journal Meeting 2024: Pre-clinical Modelling of Human Genetic Disease and Therapy

Registration is now open for our 2024 Journal Meeting. Rapid advances in gene editing and genetic technologies have revolutionised our ability to model human genetic disease and provided new hope for gene therapies. At this Meeting, we will present the very latest advances in modelling human genetic disease.
A new call for papers is underway

Showcase your latest research in our upcoming special issue Translating Multiscale Research in Rare Disease, coordinated by DMM Editors Monica Justice, Karen Liu and Monkol Lek, and Guest Editor Kate Rauen. The deadline for submitting articles to the special issue is Monday 6 November 2023.
Moving towards heart success – Disease Models & Mechanisms Special Issue

DMM's most recent special issue compiles articles that aim to move heart failure to heart success by fundamentally addressing the roots of failure to identify curative strategies.
Adult zebrafish as advanced models of human disease

Editor-in-Chief Liz Patton and Editorial Board member Rich White discuss the unique advantages of adult zebrafish for studying human disease biology. Read the Open Access Editorial here.
The Forest of Biologists

The Forest of Biologists is a biodiversity initiative created by The Company of Biologists, with support from the Woodland Trust. For every Research and Review article published in Disease Models & Mechanisms a native tree is planted in a UK forest. In addition to this we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland and are dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. Visit our virtual forest to learn more.