# Thinking outside the mouse: emerging vertebrate models in biomedicine

## TL;DR

Studying non-traditional vertebrates reveals natural mechanisms for regeneration and disease resistance, offering new biomedical insights.

## Contribution

The paper highlights emerging vertebrate models and their potential to advance biomedical research through unique biological traits.

## Key findings

- Non-standard vertebrates offer novel insights into regeneration and longevity.
- Workshop discussions emphasized technological advances in using unconventional models.
- Spiny mouse research is gaining attention as a promising model organism.

## Abstract

The 2025 EMBO Workshop ‘Beyond the standard: Unconventional vertebrate models in biomedicine’ took place in Edinburgh, UK, in June 2025, and gathered a diverse group of researchers, veterinarians and animal technicians to explore the biological insights that can be unlocked from studying diverse, non-traditional vertebrates. This second iteration of the workshop focused on stem cells and regeneration, reproductive biology, immunology, ageing, and the latest technological advances and ongoing challenges in bringing non-model vertebrates to the forefront of biomedical research. The workshop also housed the first meeting for the growing spiny mouse research community.

Summary: Non-conventional vertebrate models open new research avenues in biomedicine, revealing natural mechanisms of regeneration, longevity, and disease resistance with promise for biomedical innovation.