Articles tagged with Zebrafish
Researchers have identified the BICRA gene as a new disease gene involved in neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found that mutations in the BICRA gene can cause disease in humans and flies, and may provide new insights into how to develop individualized medical plans for patients with similar conditions.
Researchers used zebrafish with genetic mutations similar to those found in humans with Fragile X syndrome and autism to study sound sensitivity. The study revealed that the brains of these fish processed auditory information differently than normal fish, with more activity in the hindbrain and thalamus.
A new USC-led study provides evidence that the endoderm also forms part of the pituitary's front lobe in some vertebrates, revising the developmental and evolutionary story of the gland. The research uses cutting-edge technology to label and track embryonic cells, revealing an unexpected contribution from the innermost embryonic layer.
A Northwestern University research team discovered a highly ordered relationship between inhibitory neurons and motor neuron activity in zebrafish, revealing a compartmental scheme to regulate different speeds of movement. This finding provides insight into human movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
Researchers used a well-known optical illusion to isolate key clusters of neurons in zebrafish, finding only a dozen or so neurons required for motion perception. The study aims to understand how these neurons are wired within the neural circuit and their connections with visual input.
The NIH-funded Center for Precision Animal Modeling (C-PAM) at UAB enables precise diagnoses and treatments by creating patient-specific disease models. C-PAM's cutting-edge capabilities will help predict possible treatments that can be tested in the models, aiding in the search for unique therapies.
Researchers found that genetic pathways allowing fish to regrow neurons remain present in mammals, but are turned off, blocking regeneration and healing. The study may advance genetic therapies for blindness and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers used zebrafish embryos to visualize the interactions between nanoparticles and cells, revealing that protein coronas can make nanoparticles appear non-self to cells. This understanding could lead to improved targeted drug delivery systems.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that vitamin D deficiency during early development can disrupt the metabolic balance between growth and fat accumulation in zebrafish. The study suggests a linkage between vitamin D and metabolic homeostasis, leading to obesity and stunted growth.
A new USC-led study identified a critical genetic modification that enabled the emergence of gill covers in early vertebrates, allowing them to become top predators. The study found that changes in a gene called Pou3f3 led to the development of gill covers in some fish and their absence in others.
Researchers have identified a fungal compound, cercosporamide, that inhibits BMP receptors, which are overactive in certain diseases. This finding offers new possibilities for treating conditions like Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
A team of scientists has developed a novel optical design that enables fast imaging in 3D microscopy by converting lateral scanning into axial focusing. This technology accelerates axially swept light-sheet microscopy (ASLM) and raster scanning microscopes to multi-kHz rates, outperforming previous aberration-free focusing technologies.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory have discovered the role of Klf9 in regulating the physiological response to cortisol, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stress. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind chronic stress-induced inflammation and its contribution to age-related diseases.
Researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown found that social experiences during the first week of development impact zebrafish behaviour at an early larval stage. Isolated larvae showed stronger escape swims in response to local water vibrations, indicating a lasting effect.
A research team has revealed that Ca2+ activities mediated by mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels regulate the pathfinding of growing brain vessels in larval zebrafish. This process is critical for proper patterning of the vasculature, but its underlying mechanism remained unknown.
A Chapman University study discovered that primary cilia have extracellular vesicle-like characteristics, playing a crucial role in cardiovascular function and genetic diseases. The research found that defects in these proteins lead to various organ system disorders, including heart looping and kidney cysts.
Researchers have developed a new CRISPR technique that allows them to target and reduce specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules involved in early embryonic development. This approach enables the study of genes that were previously difficult or impossible to manipulate, and has shown promise for understanding infertility and development...
Researchers have identified a single gene, SLC20A1, that controls the development of excretory organs and genitalia. Mutations in this gene can cause severe developmental disorders, including bladder exstrophy epispadias complex.
Researchers engineered a single-gene mutation in zebrafish, producing jawless mutants resembling ancient fish from the Silurian and Devonian Periods. The mutations allowed these modern fish to thrive despite their inability to close their jaws, revealing insights into developmental plasticity and evolutionary strategies.
A team of scientists identified a gene mutation that causes distal arthrogryposis (DA), a condition characterized by joint deformities and muscle loss. The MYLPF gene plays a crucial role in normal muscle development and function, and its mutations can lead to reduced muscle strength and degeneration.
Researchers have discovered a single-letter change in DNA that alters the way zebrafish build their spines, leading to shorter bodies and tortured-looking spines. This mutation has similarities with fossil specimens of ancestral fish, revealing insights into spine evolution and development.
A new Oregon State University study using zebrafish found no significant health impacts from 5G radiofrequency radiation. Researchers exposed embryonic zebrafish to 3.5 GHz radiation and observed a modest impact on sound response, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Researchers developed a novel EEG system that can measure brain activity from multiple adult zebrafish simultaneously, opening up new possibilities for cheaper and faster drug screening for neurological disorders. This study successfully mapped changes in brain signals during epileptic attacks and demonstrated the efficacy of an anti-e...
A team of researchers has identified fibroblasts as the primary cells producing VEGF-C processing enzymes in zebrafish embryos. This discovery sheds light on lymphatic vessel development and may have implications for human diseases, including lymphoedema and cancer metastasis.
Zebrafish studies reveal that isolation causes sensitivity to stimuli and increased brain activity related to stress and anxiety. The results suggest that social isolation can result in a decreased desire for social interaction, contradicting the assumption that loners are simply anti-social.
Zebrafish use single photoreceptors to spot tiny prey, similar to how humans might spot stars in the sky. This discovery provides insights into animal visual acuity and could lead to new understanding of human foveal vision.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa have discovered a new sex hormone in zebrafish that regulates sexual behavior and reproduction. The hormone, secretoneurin peptide, was found to restore sexual function in genetically modified fish by increasing hormone release and enhancing ovulation.
A new UCLA study found that chemicals in diesel exhaust can trigger the toxic buildup of alpha-synuclein proteins in brain cells, a common occurrence in people with Parkinson's. The research used zebrafish and human cells to confirm the link between air pollution and brain damage.
Virginia Tech researchers used CRISPR genome editing in zebrafish to find that PHETA1-like proteins are necessary for renal function and craniofacial development. The study linked the protein mutation to kidney and craniofacial problems observed in a patient with an undiagnosed disease.
A new imaging technique developed by Cornell scientists allows researchers to see into a live adult zebrafish brain, shedding light on brain structure and function. The breakthrough enables studies on human brain disorders like autism, potentially leading to new treatments.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a link between defective immune cells and rare childhood brain disorders, such as leukodystrophies. These diseases cause severe physical and mental disabilities in children, with limited treatment options available.
Zebrafish can regenerate their hearts after cardiac arrest due to faster and more complete scar tissue healing than other animals. A UTA engineer is using an EKG jacket and super-resolution microscope to study this phenomenon and its potential applications for human heart attack treatment.
A team of scientists at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology develops a novel optical technique to label single hemogenic endothelium cells in zebrafish embryos and track their descendants. The technology uses infrared laser-evoked gene operator (IRLEGO) to achieve precise single-cell labeling, overcoming previous limitations.
Researchers at NCBS discovered that dopamine released by nerve cells activates faster motor neurons, allowing zebrafish to swim faster. This finding suggests motor neuron plasticity can be exploited for rehabilitation after spinal cord injury or stroke.
A new data analysis tool has been developed to study the formation of zebrafish stripes, enabling scientists to objectively test ideas about how patterns are formed. The algorithm uses topological data analysis to quantify attributes of shapes and patterns, providing a more objective approach to understanding developmental processes.
Antonia Groneberg, a neuroscientist, has won Science's annual 'Dance Your Ph.D.' prize with her dance video on zebrafish brain development. Her thesis explored how group dynamics affected individual animal behavior and brain development in zebrafish larvae.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University are studying zebrafish with mutated BRAF genes to develop new melanoma treatments. They aim to predict optimal drug combinations using computational models and test them in humanized zebrafish, potentially leading to new therapies within the next year or two.
Researchers identified a rare genetic syndrome, CATIFA, caused by mutation of the RIC1 gene, characterized by cleft palate, intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, and ADHD. The study combined zebrafish models, pediatric genetic diseases, and electronic health records to define the underlying mechanism.
Dresden scientists discovered two types of newly formed neurons in zebrafish brains, which have the same cell types as humans. These findings could lead to new therapies for stroke, craniocerebral trauma, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Scientists developed a novel method to create zebrafish with conditional gene knockout and knock-in switches in one step. The strategy uses CRISPR/Cas9-mediated non-HR insertion, allowing for efficient targeting of specific genes and the creation of reporter lines with fluorescent markers.
A novel assay developed at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown uses zebrafish 'avatars' to test radio-sensitivity in human tumor cells. The assay has shown promising results, with 85% success rate in predicting how tumors will respond to specific drugs.
A specialized system of ducts transports bile and enzymes from the liver and pancreas to the intestine. The study revealed a multi-step process for duct formation, with key genes controlling the development of these ducts.
Researchers have mapped zebrafish brain regions involved in decision making, revealing how sensory information is integrated to trigger a behavior. The study uses whole-brain imaging and behavioral paradigms to demonstrate the accumulation of evidence over time.
Hematopoietic stem cells can be purified from zebrafish kidneys using a novel purification scheme that allows researchers to collect these elusive cells. The discovery opens up new avenues for studying blood-based diseases and developing medical treatments.
Researchers from the Hubrecht Institute and Utrecht University have set up a library of products derived from over ten thousand fungi to find new therapeutic compounds. They found 34 known compounds, including the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, using zebrafish embryos as a test subject.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have identified a critical role of lymphatic vessels in heart repair, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating congenital heart defects and cardiac injuries. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of cardiac regeneration, paving the way for potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found that blocking natural cannabinoid receptors in zebrafish has detrimental effects on development, including reduced muscle innervation and locomotor activity. These findings suggest long-term negative consequences for fish even as adults.
Researchers found genes linked to autism spectrum disorder may play a role in people with uncontrolled eye movements. The study suggests the Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule-Like 1 gene is crucial for normal eye movements.
Researchers identified how specific genes dictate hair cell patterns in zebrafish, shedding light on mechanisms behind congenital hearing loss in humans. The study found that genetic alterations can lead to circular or spiral patterns in hair cells, providing new directions for tackling congenital hearing problems.
Researchers identify a specific subset of cardiomyocytes with enhanced regenerative capacity in zebrafish, which differ from other myocardial cells in gene expression profile. This discovery could provide new insights into human heart regeneration and potentially stimulate the repair process.
Researchers identified a cluster of 38 neurons in the hindbrain that mediate delayed escape responses in zebrafish, characterized by flexible trajectories. This circuit may represent an evolutionarily ancient pathway for defensive responses to threats sensed via acoustic or vibrational cues.
Researchers at the University of Oregon found that low-dose antibiotic exposure can cause significant changes in gut bacterial communities, leading to severe drops in bacterial populations. The study used zebrafish as a model organism and showed that the physical activity of the intestine amplifies the effects of weak antibiotics.
Zebrafish larvae's ability to coordinate movement and maintain balance improves as they age, mirroring human brain function. The study suggests that the developing fish rely on their vestibular organs to oversee improvements in coordination needed to remain horizontal.
Researchers studied histone modifications in zebrafish development, finding that H3K27 acetylation awakens the genome for transcription. This epigenetic factor determines gene function and is conserved across species, including mammals.
Researchers develop tools to watch neural circuit formation directly in living animals, revealing new window into brain development. The study uses light-sheet microscopy to track neurons' movement, activity, and function, shedding light on how coordinated network activity emerges and gives rise to early behaviors.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina identified mutations in ciliary genes causing bicuspid aortic valve and aortic valve narrowing. The study revealed that disruption of cilia development leads to BAV disease and calcification on the aortic valve.
Researchers found a gene that responds to brain activity to coordinate the need for sleep, and zebrafish studies suggest that intensive brain activity increases sleep pressure. The findings may help understand sleep disorders and conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers confirm known genomic variants and identify a novel ZRANB3 gene linked to T2D susceptibility in sub-Saharan Africans. The study's findings also suggest the gene may influence T2D development in other populations.
Researchers have designed a simple and efficient platform to discover new drugs treating spinal cord lesions using zebrafish, accelerating the translation period from discovery to clinics. The platform has identified a molecule with motor recovery properties in zebrafish larvae and showed efficacy in spinal cord injury models in rodents.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered zebrafish choose mating over fleeing a threat when exposed to pheromone cues. This decision is controlled by specific brain regions responding to reproductive hormones.