Zebrafish

Small, attractive and easy to care for, Zebrafish (Danio rereo) are popular in the home aquarium market.

They can also be found, however, in research facilities around the world as one of the species used most often in scientific studies.

Zebrafish have unique biological, genetic, and practical characteristics. They have become a valuable model organism in various fields of biology, including genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, toxicology, and drug discovery.

Zebrafish share about 70% of their genes with humans, and approximately 84% of human disease-related genes have a zebrafish counterpart. This makes them an excellent model for studying human diseases and genetic disorders.

They are also highly amenable to genetic modification. Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 enable precise gene editing. Their genome has been fully sequenced, allowing researchers to manipulate specific genes and study their effects, helping to understand the genetic basis of diseases.

Zebrafish have a remarkable ability to regenerate damaged tissues and organs, including the heart, spinal cord, and fins. This regenerative capacity makes them a powerful model for studying tissue repair and regeneration, with potential applications in regenerative medicine.

The species also exhibits complex behaviours, which have been thoroughly studied. This means they can even be used as a model to help understand neurological and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, autism, and depression.