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Boosting the discovery of new drugs to treat spinal cord injuries using zebrafish

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.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 19, 2019

Fishing for new leads in a rare melanoma

Zebrafish models have been developed to study the intricate molecular pathways underlying mucosal melanomas. The research identified a previously unrecognized tumor suppressor, SPRED1, and its interplay with oncogene KIT. These findings hold promise for developing precision cancer therapies for this rare and aggressive form of melanoma.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience·DateNov 1, 2018

Why zebrafish (almost) always have stripes

A new mathematical model explains the formation of zebrafish stripes by highlighting the crucial role of a single pigment cell type. The model shows that iridophores lead the process, providing redundancies to ensure reliable stripe formation even when cellular processes go wrong.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 13, 2018

Study finds new brain pathway for escaping predators

A recent study by University of Queensland researchers has uncovered a new brain pathway that enables zebrafish to detect and respond to visual threats from predators. The findings reveal that the thalamus plays a crucial role in processing visual information, which is then transmitted to other parts of the brain for escape responses.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNeuron·DateJul 5, 2018

Shining new light on the pineal gland

Researchers discovered a genetic link between left-right brain asymmetry and melatonin production in fish, shedding light on pineal gland function. The study found that a protein called Bsx controls the development of the pineal complex, leading to disrupted sleep-wake cycles.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalDevelopment·DateJul 4, 2018

From one, many

Researchers have developed a system to profile every cell in developing zebrafish and frog embryos, revealing the comprehensive landscape of gene expression events that mark new cell states and types. This work provides a significant resource for studying developmental biology and disease.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateApr 26, 2018

A CNIC-coordinated project is set to receive €1 million in funding over the next 3 years

A CNIC-coordinated project will investigate the oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) and its structural heterogeneity, with potential implications for metabolic plasticity. Researchers from various countries and specialties will collaborate to develop new methods and gain a deeper understanding of this fundamental biological process.

The robots will see you now

Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have created a bioinspired robotic replica that can interact in three dimensions with live zebrafish. The system allows the robot to watch and mimic the behavior of live fish in real-time, promoting social interactions.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 7, 2018

Running away from carbon dioxide: The terminal connection

Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute identify a neuronal pathway that enables zebrafish to avoid carbon dioxide. The team found that the trigeminal sensory neurons and the habenula play critical roles in detecting carbon dioxide. These findings shed light on the neurobiology behind avoidance behaviors in animals.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 30, 2018

Zebrafish study provides new insights into autism spectrum disorder research

Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that exposure to valproic acid, a migraine treatment, causes characteristics similar to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in zebrafish. The study validated zebrafish as a model for studying ASD and its causes, providing a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional rodent models.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNeurotoxicology and Teratology·DateJan 24, 2018

Zebrafish brain repair following concussion

Researchers discovered that zebrafish exhibit significant spatial memory impairment after a blow to the head, with slower reaction times to familiar environments. Genetic analysis identified key genes involved in brain cell proliferation and migration, offering new insights into potential human recovery strategies.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJan 2, 2018