Zebrafish

Zebrafish are useful in research studies exploring basic biology and human disease mechanisms. They share 70% of their genetic makeup with humans. Their eggs are fertilized externally and their embryos are transparent.  All of this makes Zebrafish a valuable model for studies to understand gene function and many human genetic diseases.

One example is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder of the X chromosome, which affects 1 in every 3,500 – 5,000 boys and leads to progressive muscle loss and ultimately death.  Zebrafish have the same gene and it can be modified to mimic the disorder.  Because of the rapid lifecycle of zebrafish, within just a few days scientists are able to see the effect of various drug combinations on the fish embryos.  What they learn will lead to effective new treatments for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Areas of Vital Research

Research Animals Gallery

Zebrafish/USA

Zebrafish embryos - 30-hours-old

Embryonic development takes place rapidly. It is also a key area of study during drug safety testing. This photo shows thirty-day-old zebrafish embryos. Because they are transparent, researchers can easily monitor the development of the embryo from fertilization to when it hatches as larval fish. The embryo in the middle…

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Zebrafish/USA

Fourteen-day-old zebrafish larva

Zebrafish larvae are raised from eggs to eventually become breeding adult fish that provide embryos for research studies. The transparent bodies of these young fish allow for non-invasive assessment of organ and tissue changes, something that is not possible with mammals. Their transparency is very helpful when conducting safety and…

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Zebrafish/USA

Seven-day-old zebrafish larvae

A zebrafish larva is an immature form of an adult fish. In this photo, you see a seven-day-old zebrafish larvae, around the size of a quarter, swimming in water. Approximately twelve larvae live in each small test well. Test substances, such as potential new medications, are dissolved in the water…

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Zebrafish/USA

Zebrafish embryos - 24-hours-old

Zebrafish embryos are transparent and they also develop quickly. These particular embryos are shown twenty-four hours after fertilization. Each week, a breeding pair of adult zebrafish generate hundreds of embryos that can be used to study the safety and efficacy of new medications. The use of these embryos has helped…

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Zebrafish/Baltimore, MD

Zebrafish Tank

Zebrafish are vertebrates that share similar developmental features with humans. They are powerful models for studying early development, given that their eggs are transparent and develop externally.

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Zebrafish/United States

Zebrafish and Spinal Cord Regeneration

Researchers recently discovered a clue to how zebrafish self-heal spinal cord injuries. Damaged cells secrete a special growth factor that is required for regeneration in these animals. Humans have a similar growth factor, but human spinal cords do not heal when severed.  Further investigation with zebrafish may lead to the…

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Zebrafish/United States

Zebrafish and Anti-Cancer Drugs

Cancer is a complicated, devastating disease that has affected many lives.  New cancer treatments are continually developed because cancer cells change and resist treatment. Other treatments may work for one kind of cancer, but not another. New drugs must be evaluated in animals before they can be given to humans…

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