Tropical fish have exceptional organic options: they develop and shed a number of units of tooth over their lifetimes and regenerate tissue following harm.
For this reason the College of Manitoba (UM) formally opened its $2.5-million Rady Biomedical Fish Facility on Monday, positioned within the Rady College of Well being Sciences, to advance analysis into these capabilities.
“About 70 per cent of [fish] genes are the identical as human genes,” mentioned Dr. Benjamin Lindsey, an assistant professor of human anatomy and cell science on the Max Rady School of Medication.
The power, housed within the basement of the Chown Constructing, is provided with state-of-the-art instruments to review two freshwater species: zebrafish and Mexican tetra fish. It presently holds about 2,000 zebrafish and 250 Mexican tetras, maintained in a high-tech multi-rack system that robotically regulates water high quality.
Solely researcher in Canada utilizing Mexican tetras
Dr. Devi Atukorallaya, an affiliate professor of oral biology on the Dr. Gerald Niznick School of Dentistry, is the one researcher in Canada utilizing Mexican tetras for biomedical analysis. She investigates cranium and facial growth in human embryos utilizing zebrafish and Mexican tetra fish embryos, that are clear.
“Beneath the microscope, I can examine how bones, tooth, organs, and sensory techniques develop. This helps us perceive human congenital malformations, similar to cleft palate,” Atukorallaya mentioned.
The Mexican tetra species provides further genetic insights as a result of its two evolutionary varieties: surface-dwelling fish with eyes and pale-coloured cave fish with out eyes, tailored to dwelling in darkness. Atukorallaya has pioneered analysis by exposing fish eggs to alcohol, learning tooth and tastebud abnormalities equivalent to fetal alcohol spectrum dysfunction in people.
Zebrafish’s perk: Regenerative tissue
Lindsey, a neuroscientist, is one of some Canadian researchers utilizing zebrafish to review mind and spinal wire accidents.
“The neural stem cells in zebrafish are excellent at regenerating tissue after trauma. If we will uncover how they do that, it may at some point result in therapies for people with mind accidents or neurodegenerative illnesses, similar to Parkinson’s,” Lindsey mentioned.