Proper modeling of diseases is indispensable in basic and translational research. Understanding the genetic, biochemical, physical, and environmental factors that contribute to the development of diseases, working out preventive strategies and testing potential treatments and therapies is impossible without well-designed test systems. Increasing efforts are being made to reduce the number of in vivo experiments and to find alternative ways using appropriate methods. Nowadays, in vivo and in vitro methods coexist, forming a unity, supporting each other's results, and helping to study the progression of diseases. To find a solution, it is essential to select appropriate models. Sometimes it is sufficient to study cellular systems, which provide a simplified and clear understanding of processes. At other times, much more complex systems, organoids, on-a-chip systems, or living organisms are needed to see the complete pathological process or to predict the response to treatment in a whole-system way.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions that improve our understanding of disease models. We aim to present disease model systems that clearly interpret pathological processes in a well-defined way while focusing on the welfare of experimental animals, their number reduction, and the options for replacement. We would like to present well-functioning models from disease research that have been proven to be effective, either at the cellular or tissue level or in living system. Computer modeling is also welcome.

Potential areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:
● In vivo models
● In vitro models
● In silico models
● Combined disease models
● Methods how the 3Rs are extended to the models
● Methods for how the number of animals can be reduced in a model
● Methods for how the alternative ways replace the animal models

Even though abstract submission is not mandatory, we encourage all interested researchers to submit an abstract before submitting their manuscript. Abstracts do not have to coincide with the final abstract of the manuscripts. For authors, please review the journal's information regarding Author Guidelines and Article Processing Charges, or direct any questions to the Editorial Office: por@por-journal.com.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Commentary
• Guideline
• Hypothesis & Theory
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Commentary
• Guideline
• Hypothesis & Theory
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: 3Rs, in vivo, in vitro, in silico, disease models