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Zebrafish have been in the news recently. These small fish are gaining popularity in research labs. Read on to find out why!
Zebrafish Facts
- One inch long
- Freshwater fish
- Native to south and southeast Asia in areas like the Ganges River
- About 70% of human genes are found in zebrafish
- About 80% of human disease-causing genes are found in zebrafish
- More than 26,000 protein-making genes
In the 1970s Dr. George Streisinger was one of the first to use zebrafish for the study of vertebrate development and genetics. He recognized similarities between the fish and humans - backbones, brains, spinal cords, organs, bones, and cartilage.
Scientists learned how to selectively mutate zebrafish DNA in 1988. Since that discovery, the number of papers covering zebrafish studies has increased from 26 to 2,100. The nonprofit Zebrafish International Resource Center sells 2,608 different genetically modified strains to researchers.
Comparing Zebrafish and Rodents
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Which animal is better for research - zebrafish or rodent? |
Zebrafish
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Rodents
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Cost per Day | $0.07 for a tank of fish | $0.90 for a cage of five rodents |
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Reproduction Rate | 3 days for hundreds of embryos | 3 weeks for 10 babies |
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Ease of Monitoring | Larval fish are transparent - visual monitoring of organ growth | Not transparent - other means of monitoring required |
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Ideal For Studying | Tumor growth, new drug screening | Complex brain disorders, lungs, mammal-specific issues |
Common Studies
Zebrafish are often used to study vertebrate development. Embryonic transparency makes it really easy to monitor early growth and development. Zebrafish help researchers understand the causes of birth defects in humans. In fact, with an infant's blood sample, a zebrafish can be used to monitor the same growth.
A well-known lab studying zebrafish is the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (link no longer available). More information about zebrafish research can be found at Research at UCL.
References: Nature; Neuro.UOregon.edu; NIH.gov; PopSci; Science Alert
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