Zebra Fish

[Guest guest]

Sorry, my post disappeared into space before I completed it, so I will try to

start where I left off.

Studies in zebrafish models complement research in human cell lines and mouse

models because of the inherent capacity of zebrafish to accommodate genome-wide

enhancer-suppressor screens for modifier genes in critical pathways that

exacerbate abnormal myelopoietic phenotypes or restore normal hematopoiesis.

This advantage provides an unparalleled opportunity to identify specific genes

whose mutational inactivation blocks BCR-ABL activity, and whose products

therefore serve as potential targets for the development of small molecule

inhibitors that could be used in treatment of CML.

We will take advantage of the zebrafish model system to directly visualize

myeloid progenitors in the developing embryo in vivo, through the analysis of

transgenic zebrafish microinjected (as fertilized eggs) with a BCR-ABL protein.

Insight into this pathway may lead to the identification of modifier genes that

can serve as potential drug targets.

This is a PDF document where you can read all of the study below:

http://tinyurl.com/daxy7r

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With so many institutions using Zebra fish in their research, it is not by

accident that they are really on to something. Here is more information from

Pitt Medical School.

Zebra fish are becoming increasingly popular among scientists -- joining the

menagerie of so-called model organisms, such as fruit flies and mice -- to

address questions that can't be studied easily in humans.

Last year, Pitt's medical school jumped in by constructing the city's first

large-scale zebra fish facility, which can hold about 3,100 tanks and 10,000

fish the size of a pinkie. It is a not-so-dry run for the even bigger, $1.5

million zebra fish system the university plans to erect in the life sciences

research center under construction on Fifth Avenue in Oakland.

By spring, the center should house one of the largest zebra fish facilities in

the United States, with about 10,000 tanks containing more than 350,000 fish.

http://tinyurl.com/ddhw96

Blessings,

Lottie