germ-free mice

Germ-free mice are laboratory animals raised in sterile conditions so they do not have any bacteria or microorganisms living in or on them. This allows scientists to study how these microbes affect health, disease, and immune responses. Because they lack natural bacteria, germ-free mice can develop differently and are useful in research on infections, allergies, and gut health. Maintaining these mice requires special facilities to keep their environment completely sterile, making them valuable tools for understanding the role of microbes in biology.