# Modeling versatility as the hallmark of model organisms

## TL;DR

This paper explores how model organisms are uniquely useful in scientific research due to their versatility in representing biological phenomena.

## Contribution

The paper introduces six dimensions of modeling versatility that explain the epistemic value of model organisms.

## Key findings

- Model organisms are characterized by ontogenetic changeability and standardization.
- Six types of versatility explain their role in biological modeling.
- The paper clarifies concepts like representational target and scope in model organism research.

## Abstract

In recent years, discussions on the epistemology of model organism-based research have emerged in the philosophy of science. A key topic of discussion is how the epistemic insights gained from model organisms differ from those gained through other experimental organisms used in laboratory and field research. Here, we argue that model organisms are epistemically special due to their nature as ontogenetically changeable, standardized, and evolved material model carriers. These characteristics afford six important kinds of modeling versatility that biologists marshal in their investigations: (i) synchronic target versatility; (ii) synchronic scope versatility; (iii) diachronic target versatility; (iv) diachronic scope versatility; (v) manipulation versatility; and (vi) discovery versatility. In presenting these dimensions of modeling versatility, we also clarify key notions such as ‘representational target,’ ‘representational scope,’ and ‘representational power’ as these apply to modeling practices that involve model organisms.