Monument to the laboratory mouse, Novosibirsk

In the bustling Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, a unique and thought-provoking monument has captured the attention of both locals and visitors. The Monument to the Laboratory Mouse is a bronze statue that pays homage to the millions of mice that have played a crucial role in scientific research and medical advancements.

This unusual tribute, sculpted by artist Andrew Kharevich, depicts a mouse donning eyeglasses and a lab coat while knitting a double helix of DNA. The monument is situated in the courtyard of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a location that signifies the importance of genetic research and the contributions of these tiny creatures to this field.

The statue was unveiled in 2013 to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of the institute. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by laboratory animals while also celebrating the achievements of geneticists. The mouse, often a subject in experiments due to its genetic similarity to humans, symbolizes the strides taken in understanding biology and heredity.