Model Organisms

In science, when we need to discover more about genetic organisms, we can't rely on the naturally occurring mutations that occur in humans as these would be few and far between, and also not have enough outside controls to account for all possible influences. 

So, instead, we use a model organism, or an organism with simple DNA that can be manipulated to have a mutation that we can in turn research. Some model organisms include, fruit flies, mice, fish, and monkeys. 

Tangier disease has not been researched heavily enough to have a designated model organism, however, mice could serve as a great model organism for studying Tangier disease. 

Mice also have the ABCA1 gene, the gene that causes Tangier in humans. 

By producing these mice that all have Tangier disease, we could do some research on how the disease could be cured and replicated. 

http://www.the-scientist.com/images/Nutshell/January2014/mouse.jpg