The Potential of Zebrafish as a Model Organism for Improving the Translation of Genetic Anticancer Nanomedicines

In the last few decades, the field of nanomedicine applied to cancer has revolutionized cancer treatment: several nanoformulations have already reached the market and are routinely being used in the clinical practice. In the case of genetic nanomedicines, i.e., designed to deliver gene
therapies to cancer cells for therapeutic purposes, advances have been less impressive. This is because of the many barriers that limit the access of the therapeutic nucleic acids to their target site, and the lack of models that would allow for an improvement in the understanding of how nanocarriers can be tailored to overcome them. Zebrafish has important advantages as a model species for the study of anticancer therapies, and have a lot to offer regarding the rational development of efficient delivery of genetic nanomedicines, and hence increasing the chances of their successful translation. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent advances in the development of genetic anticancer nanomedicines, and of the zebrafish models that stand as promising tools to shed light on their mechanisms of action and overall potential in oncology... Read more

Why the tiny zebrafish can teach us a lot about the human immune system

A recent report from the National Institutes of Health shows that research on zebrafish has been gaining steam. From 2008 to 2015, even as the number of overall grants declined, the number of R01 grants for zebrafish studies increased by almost 60 percent.  For researchers like McConnell with a vested interested in model organisms beyond the common lab rat, this can only be a good sign... Read more

Differences in Reproductive Behavior between spawning and non-spawning Zebrafish Pairs

Spawning and Non-Spawning Zebrafish Pairs and the Effects of 17-Ethinylestradiol ... Read more

See video: What Can Modern Fish and Salamander Genes Tell Us About How our Limbs Evolved?

In a video for Science Friday, researchers at the University of California-Irvine illustrate how axolotls can even grow extra limbs, like a third arm. When a wound is grafted with skin from another area of the axolotl's arm with a different positional value, the newly neighboring cells of the wound and graft can “fill in” what would normally lie between them, like an arm... Read more

Zebrafish Nutrition: What We Know and Don't Know

The establishment of a standardized diet is far from complete. However it appears that the movement is gaining momentum. Expanding awareness within the laboratory animal community is vital and the zebrafish community appreciates your Biosupport... Read more

NHI Videocasting "The Zebrafish Guide to Tuberculosis"

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Nephron Patterning: Lessons from Xenopus, Zebrafish, and Mouse Studies

Audrey Desgrange 1,2,3 and Silvia Cereghini 1,2,3,*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Tel.: +33(0)-144-272-155; Fax: +33(0)-144-273-445.

Several studies have shown that the pronephric nephrons in  Xenopus  and zebrafish are segmented in a similar fashion as the mouse metanephric nephrons.

Here we review functional and molecular aspects of nephron segmentation with a particular interest on the signaling molecules and transcription factors recently implicated in kidney development in these three different vertebrate model organisms.

A complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying nephrogenesis in different model organisms will provide novel insights on the etiology of several human renal diseases... Read more

Meet AQH, NASA’s Aquatic Facility

Aquatic Habitat is a unique investigation designed to study small fresh water fish including the medaka and zebrafish. This facility consists of two aquariums with a closed loop water circulation system, automatic feeding system, day/night light cycle, and cameras. This microgravity investigation allows researchers to study changes to bones, the loss of muscle mass, the effects of radiation and the biological development of living organisms.

This facility is closed water circulatory aquarium that can support some medaka or zebrafish for durations lasting up to about 90 days (the maximum number depending on the life stage of each specimen). AQH consists of four main components: two aquariums, the water circulation unit, control unit, and CCD cameras. Biological filter (i.e., water purifying bacteria) and gas exchanger maintain the quality of the environmental system... Read more

Identifying the antibodies that did and didn’t work

Get an overview of the best-performing antibody in a given application category. Life scientist are invited to contribute to this website

The Marvelous Zebrafish

A conversation with Dr. Xiao-Yan Wen, director of Zebrafish Centre for Advanced Drug Discovery. By Stefan Jevtic. The Varsity. The University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper

Zebrafish Housing Systems

A Review of Basic Operating Principles and Considerations for Design and Functionality

Guidance on the Housing and Care of Zebrafish

Danio rerio

A Collaborative Publication from authors Barney Reed & Maggy Jennings, Research Animals Department, Science Group, RSPCA

Zebrafish Facility SOPs and Guides.

Learn about a variety of Zebrafish SPOs developed at Washington University of St.Louis, School of Medicine.

Fish For Science TV

Watch  Zebrafish Movies from the scientist at Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics

Considerations and Reflections on Design and Construction of a Centralized Zebrafish Facility

An understanding of what is required to design and build a facility whose layout and construction maximize the use of the available space, while standing up to the harsh environment and high traffic flows, is critical for success.