Editorial: Model organisms in experimental pharmacology and drug discovery 2022

Model organisms are non-human species that have long been recognized as one of the crucial pillars in research, particularly in the field of experimental pharmacology and drug discovery (Hau, 2008). These organisms are widely employed in preclinical settings, providing a convenient way to model human diseases, explore the prospective pharmacological and toxicological effects of drug candidates, and elucidate the uncharted mechanisms of their action (Jota Baptista et al., 2022). Hence, studies using model organisms are essential for achieving scientifically sound progress within the field. The Research Topic titled “Model Organisms in Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery 2022” was established to showcase recent studies that use model organisms with substantial impact on the field of experimental pharmacology and drug discovery. This Research Topic was led by three Research Topic editors and one Research Topic coordinator that managed the whole editorial process, with the help of the Frontiers editorial team, for the submitted papers. This Research Topic was open for submission from 23 March 2022 to 8 August 2022. Of eight submissions, a total of five original articles were successfully accepted, giving promising insights into the use of model organisms and the future direction of experimental pharmacology and drug discovery. Except for Suarez et al. all studies use rodents as model organisms in their studies, illustrating the popularity and continued use to these species in particular, the most used throughout history in the context of drug discovery (Jota Baptista et al., 2022). The target drugs covered by this Research Topic Research Topic could not be more diverse, from anthelmintics to antidepressants or antinociceptives, for instance. Undeniably, all the works provide an essential contribution to improving our knowledge regarding new molecules or drug interactions, highlighting the relevance of the use of model organisms.