A ‘humanised mouse’ is the name given to an immunodeficient mouse that has been injected with human cells to reconstitute its immune system. It is the most widely used model of the human immune system and one of the only available experimental methods to study the human immune system without performing experiments on humans. Humanised mice make invaluable contributions to medical research that helps provide cures for many life-threatening illnesses. A humanised mouse has an entirely normal appearance and is indistinguishable from other mice. With the exception of carrying human immune cells, humanised mice are not ‘human’ in any way and are not subject to any distress or ill-effect. All studies involving humanised mice are performed strictly in accordance with UK Home Office guidelines and in absolute adherence with standards of best practice on animal welfare.
The first UK Humanised Mouse Symposium was hosted by the University of Cambridge, King's College London, and the University of Oxford. The purpose of the UK Humanised Mouse Symposium was to bring together national academic groups as well as commercial sponsors who discussed their research and experience with humanised mouse models. The aim of the meeting was to promote sharing of knowledge and expertise centred on the generation, characterisation and use of humanised mice, and specifically to promote multidisciplinary collaborations. The inaugural meeting was held in Cambridge on 25th September 2015. The Humanised Mouse Symposium will be hosted annually and welcomes all interested researchers.
The UK Humanised Mouse Symposium 2022 will take place on March 28th and 29th at Fitzwilliam College, Storey’s Way, Cambridge.