Interesting tidbit about fish and research

[cee]

Just learned from my wife's neuro oncologist that they are using the freshwater zebrafish to study the effects on certain anti-viral drugs on brain tumors. Apparently the transparency of their bodies and the similarity to human physiology makes them a good candidate for studying growth rates of tumors without having to surgically examine the tumors or kill the subject. I thought it was interesting...

 

[reeferfoxx]

Danios have similar human physiology?

 

[Mark75]

Very clever to use the clear body fish to view the tumor. If I remember correctly the Zebra Danios is a tiny fish, I would think their size would make it difficult for this purpose. Is the Zebra Danio the fish you are referring too?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Very clever to use the clear body fish to view the tumor. If I remember correctly the Zebra Danios is a tiny fish, I would think their size would make it difficult for this purpose. Is the Zebra Danio the fish you are referring too?

They're the same thing.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/15/zebrafish-human-genes-project

 

[Rob.D]

Just learned from my wife's neuro oncologist that they are using the freshwater zebrafish to study the effects on certain anti-viral drugs on brain tumors. Apparently the transparency of their bodies and the similarity to human physiology makes them a good candidate for studying growth rates of tumors without having to surgically examine the tumors or kill the subject. I thought it was interesting...

Most important part to this would lead to a question, how's Barbara doing?

 

[cee]

Apparently danios' physiology is similar enough to study brain tumors which came as a bit of a surprise to me. Also much less expensive subjects as well. Barbara is doing very well with no growth of the tumor in (going on) 3 years. Actually some slight shrinkage about a year after her 1 year round of chemotherapy.

Dave

 

[cee]

They're the same thing.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/15/zebrafish-human-genes-project

Thanks for the link! Only apparent downside is the growth rate of the tumors is suppressed by the lower body temperature of the fish according to her oncologist.