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Life cycle of the zebrafish. Zebrafish develop rapidly from a one-cell zygote that sits on top of a large yolk cell. Gastrulation begins approximately 6 h post fertilization, hatching at 2 days as a free-swimming larvae. Zebrafish reach sexual matu- rity around 3 months of age and can live for up to 5 years.
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We have taken advantage of the strengths of the zebrafish model system to introduce developmental biology and genetics to undergraduates in their second semester of the Introductory Biology course at Emory. We designed a 6-week laboratory module based on research being undertaken by faculty in the department, and incorporated experiments that used...
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... studies. 4 The class began with a lecture that reviewed key developmental biology concepts germane to the experiments in the module. We introduced the concept of model organisms, and this led into a discussion of the use of zebrafish as a ver- tebrate model system. This discussion also covered basic facts about the zebrafish lifecycle ( Fig. 1) and animal husbandry. Fish tanks were brought into the class for the students to ob- serve adult fish and to illustrate fish mating and egg collection techniques. We stressed that the experimental techniques covered in the module are used in current biomedical ...
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Epithelial tissues sustain barrier function by removing and replacing aberrant or unfit cells. Here, we describe approaches to evaluate epithelial restorative capacity after inducing cell loss in zebrafish larvae. We provide details to quantify morphological changes to the tail fin epithelium after cell loss, and instructions to interrogate changes...
Citations
... Live imaging gives access to spatiotemporally resolved cell kinetics and allows for the estimation of tissue mechanical parameters [8][9][10][11]. However, live imaging is highly challenging in vivo, and it is usually limited to specific cases of embryonic development [12] or to studies of epithelium or other surface tissues [13,14]. ...
The self-organization of cells into complex tissues relies on a tight coordination of cell behavior. Identifying the cellular processes driving tissue growth is key to understanding the emergence of tissue forms and devising targeted therapies for aberrant growth, such as in cancer. Inferring the mode of tissue growth, whether it is driven by cells on the surface or by cells in the bulk, is possible in cell culture experiments but difficult in most tissues in living organisms (). Genetic tracing experiments, where a subset of cells is labeled with inheritable markers, have become important experimental tools to study cell fate . Here we show that the mode of tissue growth is reflected in the size distribution of the progeny of marked cells. To this end, we derive the clone size distributions using analytical calculations in the limit of negligible cell migration and cell death, and we test our predictions with an agent-based stochastic sampling technique. We show that for surface-driven growth the clone size distribution takes a characteristic power-law form with an exponent determined by fluctuations of the tissue surface. Our results propose a possible way of determining the mode of tissue growth from genetic tracing experiments.
Published by the American Physical Society 2024
... As both embryos and larvae, the zebrafish can mobilize innate immune responses, but adaptive immunity with specific immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and antibody production does not manifest until around one month [19,20]. Zebrafishes sexually mature by three months, are useful as a laboratory test system for up to two years, and can live for five years [21]. ...
... Zebrafishes have not been studied extensively to evaluate vaccine safety, but there are elements of zebrafish development to indicate that they offer some potential. This is especially true for zebrafish embryos, which develop through a series of discrete and observable stages, aided by the fact that they are transparent ( Figure 1) [21]. ...
Introduction
Zebrafishes represent a proven model for human diseases and systems biology, exhibiting physiological and genetic similarities and having innate and adaptive immune systems. However, they are underexplored for human vaccinology, vaccine development, and testing. Here we summarize gaps and challenges.
Areas covered
Zebrafish models have four potential applications: 1) Vaccine safety: The past successes in using zebrafishes to test xenobiotics could extend to vaccine and adjuvant formulations for general safety or target organs due to the zebrafish embryos’ optical transparency. 2) Innate immunity: The zebrafish offers refined ways to examine vaccine effects through signaling via Toll-like or NOD-like receptors in zebrafish myeloid cells. 3) Adaptive immunity: Zebrafishes produce IgM, IgD,and two IgZ immunoglobulins, but these are understudied, due to a lack of immunological reagents for challenge studies. 4) Systems vaccinology: Due to the availability of a well-referenced zebrafish genome, transcriptome, proteome, and epigenome, this model offers potential here.
Expert Opinion
It remains unproven whether zebrafishes can be employed for testing and developing human vaccines. We are still at the hypothesis-generating stage, although it is possible to begin outlining experiments for this purpose. Through transgenic manipulation, zebrafish models could offer new paths for shaping animal models and systems vaccinology.
... Recently, leaders in undergraduate science education have advocated to embed authentic science learning opportunities into all students' undergraduate lab-based courses, and many programs have heeded that call, leading to successful outcomes (e.g., D'Costa & Shepherd, 2009;Delventhal & Steinhauer, 2020;Lau & Robinson, 2009). Providing students with more authentic laboratory experiences has the potential to increase student retention in STEM, motivation, and promote science identities, better preparing and inspiring students to pursue future STEM careers (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2011). ...
Primarily undergraduate institutions (PUI) often struggle to provide authentic research opportunities that culminate in peer-reviewed publications due to “recipe-driven” lab courses and the comprehensive body of work necessary for traditional scientific publication. However, the advent of short-form, single-figure “micropublications” has created novel opportunities for early-career scientists to make and publish authentic scientific contributions on a scale and in a timespan compatible with their training periods. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the benefits accrued by eight undergraduate and master's students who participated in authentic, small-scale research projects and disseminated their work as coauthors of peer-reviewed micropublications at a PUI. In these interviews, students reported that through the process of conducting and publishing their research, they developed specific competencies: reading scientific literature, proposing experiments, and collecting/interpreting publication-worthy data. Further, they reported this process enabled them to identify as contributing members of the greater scientific community.
... A strength of this research is the direct incorporation of tracked cell-level data in the mechanobiological models when previous mechanobiological simulations of joint growth used extrapolated cell data and hypothesised how they impact growth rates. Previous computational simulations, including those from our group, assumed that the biological contributions to joint growth were proportional to chondrocyte density [35,37,53]. In this research, zebrafish jaw joint growth at the macro-scale was directly quantified from tissue geometry changes which were then correlated with growth rates in each plane as determined from tracked celllevel activity. ...
Mechanical stimuli arising from fetal movements are critical factors underlying joint growth. Abnormal fetal movements negatively affect joint shape features with important implications for joint health, but the mechanisms by which mechanical forces from fetal movements influence joint growth are still unclear. In this research, we quantify zebrafish jaw joint growth in 3D in free-to-move and immobilised fish larvae between four and five days post fertilisation. We found that the main changes in size and shape in normally moving fish were in the ventrodorsal axis, while growth anisotropy was lost in the immobilised larvae. We next sought to determine the cell level activities underlying mechanoregulated growth anisotropy by tracking individual cells in the presence or absence of jaw movements, finding that the most dramatic changes in growth rates due to jaw immobility were in the ventrodorsal axis. Finally, we implemented mechanobiological simulations of joint growth with which we tested hypotheses relating specific mechanical stimuli to mechanoregulated growth anisotropy. Different types of mechanical stimulation were incorporated into the simulation to provide the mechanoregulated component of growth, in addition to the baseline (non-mechanoregulated) growth which occurs in the immobilised animals. We found that when average tissue stress over the opening and closing cycle of the joint was used as the stimulus for mechanoregulated growth, joint morphogenesis was not accurately predicted. Predictions were improved when using the stress gradients along the rudiment axes (i.e., the variation in magnitude of compression to magnitude of tension between local regions). However, the most accurate predictions were obtained when using the compressive stress gradients (i.e., the variation in compressive stress magnitude) along the rudiment axes. We conclude therefore that the dominant biophysical stimulus contributing to growth anisotropy during early joint development is the gradient of compressive stress experienced along the growth axes under cyclical loading.
... Fish can also be used as bioindicators of toxicity tests. Among the most used fish species in ecotoxicology is D. rerio, popularly known as zebrafish [70][71][72]. Zebrafish have characteristics that make them an excellent vertebrate animal model for toxicity assessment, such as small size; easy maintenance; high reproductive rate; easily observable and quantifiable behavior; and having about 70% genetic homology with mammals [73][74][75]. ...
Cosmetic residues have been found in water resources, especially trace elements of precursors, couplers, and pigments of hair dyes, which are indiscriminately disposed of in the sewage system. These contaminants are persistent, bioactive, and bioaccumulative, and may pose risks to living beings. Thus, the present study assessed the ecotoxicity of two types of effluents generated in beauty salons after the hair dyeing process. The toxicity of effluent derived from capillary washing with water, shampoo, and conditioner (complete effluent—CE) and effluent not associated with these products (dye effluent—DE) was evaluated by tests carried out with the aquatic organisms Artemia salina, Daphnia similis, and Danio rerio. The bioindicators were exposed to pure samples and different dilutions of both effluents. The results showed toxicity in D. similis (CE50 of 3.43% and 0.54% for CE and DE, respectively); A. salina (LC50 8.327% and 3.874% for CE and DE, respectively); and D. rerio (LC50 of 4.25–4.59% and 7.33–8.18% for CE and DE, respectively). Given these results, we can infer that hair dyes, even at low concentrations, have a high toxic potential for aquatic biota, as they induced deleterious effects in all tested bioindicators.
... At 48 h after fertilization, zebrafish embryos form complete organ systems, including the heart, intestine and blood vessels. In addition, embryos are transparent and develop outside the uterus, making it even easier to track developmental stages 24,27 . www.nature.com/scientificreports/ ...
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-induced protein 1 (MCPIP1), also called Regnase-1, is an RNase that has been described as a key negative modulator of inflammation. MCPIP1 also controls numerous tumor-related processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. In this study, we utilized a zebrafish model to investigate the role of Mcpip1 during embryogenic development. Our results demonstrated that during embryogenesis, the expression of the zc3h12a gene encoding Mcpip1 undergoes dynamic changes. Its transcript levels gradually increase from the 2-cell stage to the spherical stage and then decrease rapidly. We further found that ectopic overexpression of wild-type Mcpip1 but not the catalytically inactive mutant form resulted in an embryonic lethal phenotype in zebrafish embryos (24 hpf). At the molecular level, transcriptomic profiling revealed extensive changes in the expression of genes encoding proteins important in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response and in protein folding as well as involved in the formation of primary germ layer, mesendoderm and endoderm development, heart morphogenesis and cell migration. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the expression of zc3h12a must be tightly controlled during the first cell divisions of zebrafish embryos and that a rapid decrease in its mRNA expression is an important factor promoting proper embryo development.
... Recently, leaders in undergraduate science education have advocated to embed authentic science learning opportunities into all students' undergraduate lab-based courses, and many programs have heeded that call, leading to successful outcomes (e.g., D'Costa & Shepherd, 2009;Delventhal & Steinhauer, 2020;Lau & Robinson, 2009). Providing students with more authentic laboratory experiences has the potential to increase student retention in STEM, motivation, and promote science identities, better preparing and inspiring students to pursue future STEM careers (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2011). ...
Primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) often struggle to provide authentic research opportunities that culminate in peer-reviewed publications due to "recipe-driven" lab courses and the comprehensive body of work necessary for traditional scientific publication. However, the advent of short-form, single-figure "micropublications" has created novel opportunities for early-career scientists to make and publish authentic scientific contributions on a scale and in a timespan compatible with their training periods. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the benefits accrued by eight undergraduate and master's students who participated in authentic, small-scale research projects and disseminated their work as coauthors of peer-reviewed micropublications at a PUI. In these interviews, students reported that through the process of conducting and publishing their research, they developed specific competencies: reading scientific literature, proposing experiments, and collecting/interpreting publication-worthy data. Further, they reported this process enabled them to identify as contributing members of the greater scientific community.
... They can be easily bred in the laboratory. In addition, about 70 percent of diseases related to human genes can be found in zebrafish [13]. There are a lot of papers that present nanoparticle synthesis using polymer and their effects on zebrafish. ...
The silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are applied broadly in medical applications due to their
antimicrobial property. However, the toxicity (uptake, translocation, and accumulation) of these AgNPs
nanomaterial has not been much explored. Also, cyclodextrin has been used for different
pharmaceutical applications due to its various potential properties. Therefore, the toxicity of these
AgNPs and cyclodextrin in the model organism such as Danio rerio could be crucial for future nano�drug studies. The main aim of the present research work is to synthesize, characterize biopolymeric
silver nanoparticles, and perform histopathological studies of synthesized silver nanoparticles on Danio
rerio. The silver nanoparticles of 130nm size have been synthesized successfully using β-Cyclodextrin
(β-CD) at room temperature. The various analytical applied to characterized the β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD)
reduced silver nanoparticles (β-CD)-SNPs. A histopathological study has been conducted to evaluate
the toxicity effect of the synthesized (β-CD)-SNP on the animal model Danio rerio. The (β-CD)-SNPs
conc. 30µl/l is affecting and damaged gills and kidney the Danio rerio organs (gills, kidney) exposed
after 10 days, yet the liver was found to be healthy. In conclusion, the Danio rerio gills, kidneys, and
liver are sensitive to the 130nm-sized (β-CD)-SNPs. The nanoparticles' toxicity depends on
concentration; less concentration (30µl/l) accumulates and is absorbed efficiently than the higher
concentration (300µl/l). However, no morphological changes were observed on Danio rerio
... Unlike rodents, zebrafish embryos develop by cell division without extensive growth, enabling easy manipulations (e.g. injections to regulate gene expression) at early developmental stages (D'Costa & Shepherd, 2009). ...
Due to its fully sequenced genome, high genetic homology to humans, external fertilization, fast development, transparency of embryos, low cost and active reproduction, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a novel promising model organism in biomedicine. Zebrafish are a useful tool in genetic and neuroscience research, including linking various genetic mutations to brain mechanisms using forward and reverse genetics. These approaches have produced novel models of rare genetic CNS disorders and common brain illnesses, such as addiction, aggression, anxiety and depression. Genetically modified zebrafish also foster neuroanatomical studies, manipulating neural circuits and linking them to different behaviors. Here, we discuss recent advances in neurogenetics of zebrafish, and evaluate their unique strengths, inherent limitations and the rapidly growing potential for elucidating the conserved roles of genes in neuropsychiatric disorders.
... It is an attractive model of neurobehavioural studies since the larvae show neuropathological behaviour that is quantifiable and relate to those seen in humans (Best and Alderton, 2008;Guo, 2004). Moreover, the zebrafish has optically transparent eggs, a rapid development with the major organs that are evident within 24 h post-fertilization (hpf) (D'Costa and Shepherd, 2009;Kimmel et al., 1995). In previous studies we showed some neurotoxic effects of cadmium and aluminium in adult zebrafish (Favorito et al., 2011;Monaco et al., 2016) and during their embryological development (Monaco et al., 2017a(Monaco et al., , 2017b but also in lizards (Favorito et al., 2010(Favorito et al., , 2017Ferrandino et al., 2009). ...
Aluminium and cadmium are biologically non-essential metals with a role in neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. As an attractive model for neurobehavioural studies, zebrafish at 6 h post fertilization were exposed to 9, 18, 36 and 72 μM CdCl2 and 50, 100 and 200 μM AlCl3, respectively, for 72 h, and motility such as distance moved, mean velocity, cumulative movement, meander and heading were measured by DanioVision equipment. The hatching time was also analysed. A delay in the exit from the chorion was observed in all treated larvae with respect to the controls. CdCl2 acted on the exit from the chorion of larvae with a dose-dependent delay. By contrast, the delay caused by AlCl3 was greater at low concentrations. A dose-dependent reduction in swimming performance was observed in the larvae exposed to CdCl2. Instead, for those exposed to AlCl3, swimming performance improved at higher concentrations although values were in general lower than those of control. All the parameters had a similar trend except the meander parameter which showed a dose-dependent reduction. These data show that cadmium and aluminium can delay hatching and alter swimming ability in the early developmental stages of zebrafish, albeit with different effects, suggesting that exposure to sublethal concentrations of both metals can change behavioural parameters.
