Exploration and perspectival modelling with model organisms: developmental biology as a case study

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorLarrain, Juan
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T16:09:14Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T16:09:14Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractModel organisms are at the centre of progress in biology but attributing them an excessive representational power and concentrating on a limited group of them, although efficient for research, can have negative consequences, mainly of epistemic nature. Here, I argue that model organisms are exploratory models with a perspectival modelling function, and that a deflated representational power is needed for their proper use. In support of this argument, I will analyse developmental biology as a case study. Firstly, I show that model organisms in developmental biology are not selected because of their representational capabilities, but mainly based on practical criteria. Secondly, I defend that the epistemic organization of developmental biology around questions fosters exploration and perspectival modelling and I propose that developmental biology is a 'model organism situated knowledge'. Lastly, I use the study of the mechanisms of cell fate acquisition during early embryonic development in C. elegans and mice as a case study to illustrate how a plurality of model organisms allows exploration and perspectival modelling. The use of model organisms for exploration and perspectival modelling, with a limited representational power, should allow more adequate inferences about human embryonic development and encourage the introduction of more model organisms for a comprehensive navigation of the space of possibilities.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s10539-024-09964-y
dc.identifier.eissn1572-8404
dc.identifier.issn0169-3867
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10539-024-09964-y
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/90140
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:001308570700001
dc.issue.numero5
dc.language.isoen
dc.revistaBiology & philosophy
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectModel organisms
dc.subjectExploratory models
dc.subjectPerspectival modelling
dc.subjectDevelopmental biology
dc.titleExploration and perspectival modelling with model organisms: developmental biology as a case study
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen39
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
Files
Collections
Artículos de revistas