As an emerging research model, zebrafish provide the
following advantages: Zebrafish have a completed Genome
(ZV9) with a continuing annotation project; development
occurs ex-utero; they are highly genetically
malleable- mutagenesis can be conducted providing the
opportunity for realistic genetic screens, and transgenics
can be made readily allowing for in vivo fluorescently-labeled
cell tracking during development and optogenetic
dissection of neurocircuits. Due to their size and
permeability, the zebrafish has also become a popular
model for high-throughput small molecule screening. A
number of BRI faculty, as well as postdoctoral and
graduate students would like to explore the possibility
of using this model to address questions concerning
development, behavior, gene regulation and the fate of
targeted cell types. The affinity group will provide a
forum for interested researchers within the BRI to
explore the power and pitfalls of using this model. The
meetings will alternate between journal clubs and short
informal presentations from faculty and postdocs from
both within UCLA or surrounding institutions who are
using zebrafish for their research. The presentations
will be followed by open discussions. The affinity group
will provide collaborative opportunities for UCLA
researchers already using zebrafish in their research
and furthermore give alternatives to those currently
using invertebrate models, or expensive and restrictive
mammalian models.
· Affinity
Group Summary
· Affinity
Group Participants
· How to
Join
Support the BRI!