Will This Fish Transform Medicine

Photo courtesy of popsci.com

Researchers and geneticists looking for the cause of rare diseases and illnesses are now using the translucent zebra fish in replacement of rodents. The ability to mutate zebra fish DNA is allowing researchers to manipulate human diseases into the fish as a model. 

Families of infants with suspected genetic diseases or illnesses can send a vile of blood to the Human Genome Sequencing Center at the Baylor College of Medicine. There, researchers and scientists can accurately and quickly sequence the infant’s DNA and make copies. If a mutation is found in the infant’s DNA sequence, as suspected, researchers can steadily insert the same DNA mutations into the larval zebra fish. Then, through observance, researchers can watch for any structural defects that mature. Since the fish is transparent, organ development is easy to detect. For example, researchers watched a larva zebra fish grow a heart on the right side of its body, similar to the child with the DNA sequencing for this characteristic. Scientists were able to narrow down this child’s six mutations in her sequencing to the exact one relating to the heart displacement. 

Virginia Hughes, author of the original article, reports the zebra fish have been manipulated with “DNA mutations linked to narcolepsy, muscle disorders, and the large head size associated with autism.” Not only do researchers envision the zebra fish to display DNA mutations, but also as a test for treatment. The fish, unlike rodents, absorb drugs in the water through their skin. From this, scientists can observe which drugs and molecules affect the fish. Those drugs with hopeful effects are then tested in mammals such as rodents. Leonard Zon (of Harvard Medical School) discovered with one particular drug, the animals’ blood stem-cell counts amplified. This was then used for leukemia patients who had depleted blood cells from radiation treatment. The drug was about 83% effective for his twelve “test patients.” As one can see, zebra fish are advancing the medical field. Who would have thought such an unrelated animal to humans could be a source for medical mysteries and treatments.

Blog Post Author: Nicole Boisvert, Section 124-26
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Work Cited

Hughes, Virginia. "Will This Fish Transform Medicine?" Popular Science. N.p., 21 Jan. 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.