Welcome to the Zebrafish component of our cardiovascular research.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful model well suited to both developmental and genetic analysis. Large-scale genetic screens have allowed scientists to identify hundreds of mutant phenotypes, many of which resemble human clinical disorders. The creation of critical genetic reagents, coupled with the rapid progress of the zebrafish genome initiative are bringing this model system to its full potential for the study of the vertebrate biology, physiology and human diseases.

Genetic screens in the zebrafish have also isolated mutation in hundreds of genes essential for vertebrate development, physiology, and behaviour. We plan to localize zebrafish genes and various expressed sequence tags (ESTs) , proposing to use this genetic system to address fundamental questions of vertebrate developmental physiology. As an example, we focus on zebrafish mutations that reveal single genes essential for normal development of the cardiovascular system. These single gene mutations disrupt specific aspects to heart rate, rhythm, conduction, and/or contractility of the developing heart.

Comparative analysis of map positions between zebrafish and human has identified that gene orthologs that are syntenic in mammals are also syntenic in zebrafish (Postletwaith et al. 1998). This discovery of extensive sharing of chromosome segments between zebrafish and humans has practical significance to the Human Genome Project. For example, synteny between zebrafish and humans will enable researchers to identify human ortholog from a gene's position in the zebrafish genome. Reciprocally, and more importantly, the phenotype of a zebrafish mutation can suggest function for the human gene (Postlethwait and Talbot, 1997).