Zebrafish Xenograft and Toxicity Assays

Though cancer research has made great strides to improve patient outcome and survival, metastatic cancer remains largely untreatable and fatal. Being able to predict metastasis easily and accurately in an in vivo research model is a crucial step in finding better treatment options for these patients. Our innovative zebrafish platform uses assays that maintain the elements of the microenvironment of a cancer patient to allow for metastatic prediction of patient cells. Zebrafish are an excellent research model for studying cell metastasis because of small embryo size and transparent bodies.

Zebrafish have also been emerging as a potential system to screen compounds and treatment options prior to administering them directly to the patient. Using the previously developed zebrafish xenograft system, cells can be transplanted into embryos and after engraftment has occurred, the embryos can be assayed into a high throughput array plate for drug treatments. Fish are monitored before and after treatment and analysed for drug efficacy or drug toxicity. Many drugs can by assayed at once, saving a lot of time and money.

Related Programs:

Nucleus Cores:

AB wildtype zebrafish line- a confirmed AB line of adults available for breeding or experiments with adults. Larvae are transparent until about 2 weeks and then pigmentation develops.

Unconfirmed wildtype zebrafish line- wildtype fish from a mixed background. Adults are available for breeding or experiments where background is not a factor.

Casper zebrafish line- mitfaw2/w2; roya9/a9 double mutant, which lacks all melanophores and iridophores. Larvae and adults are completely transparent. Adults are available for breeding and experiments.

Aquaneering Inc. Zebrafish Housing System- A fully automated recirculating system for housing zebrafish adults and larvae. We can provide housing, health monitoring and care, establishing standard operating procedures and providing oversight to ensure the safety and health of animals.

Nanoject III microinjector- Semi-automatic microinjector which will inject a range of volumes into zebrafish embryos and larvae. Fully trained staff will perform injections and screening as needed.

Leica M205 fluorescent stereomicroscope-High resolution stereomicroscope to image embryos, larvae, and adults. Offers multiple fluorescence filters including DAPI, CY3, Cy5, EGFP.

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Zebrafish Xenograft and Toxicity Assays

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