Nanotechnologies bring new possibilities but also raise many questions concerning potential benefits and risks. In order to justify the answer in vivo testing usually is required. Yet, experimentation on animals is an issue with regards to multiple aspects such as: ethics, costs and methodology. Non-animal models are being developed, but for now, they only partially reflect the complexity of life organisms. Therefore, laboratory animals still have to be used however mice, rats and other mammals can be replaced by evolutionary less developed vertebrates that are still relevant as a model for human diseases but also are suitable for high-throughput screenings. 

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a small fish (up to 5cm) of the Cyprinidae (carp) family. They have been described already in 1822 by Hamilton, but introduced as a model only in the 70’s of the twentieth century. In comparison with other laboratory animals zebrafish has many advantages. Fish husbandry requires less effort and costs less than husbandry of mice, rats or any other mammals. Development of zebrafish is relatively fast - they become sexually mature in 2-4 months. On average, 100 highly synchronized in their development eggs can be obtained weekly from one pair of fish and since zebrafish are oviparous, eggs can be collected without harming the parents. Embryos begin to form the vital organs already in 24 hours post fertilization. Also the innate immune system starts to function at this time. After 5 days post fertilization (dpf), the zebrafish larvae reach about 3 mm in length, have fully functional body and are able of independent feeding. Although zebrafish genome is about half size of the human one, 70% of human genes have their equivalent in fish and mutations in the homologous genes leads to similar phenotypes (Howe K. et al., 2013, Nature 496: 498-503; Wiweger M. et al.,2012, PLoS One 7:e29734).

Most of the experiments are performed on zebrafish embryos or larvae i.e. stages which are not classified as protected animal. During that time zebrafish can be can be kept in a Petri dish or a multi-well plate and tested substances can be added directly into the water in which the fish are kept. This eliminates the need of making injection and simplifies all procedures. Characteristics of zebrafish (small size, transparency), impressive genetic/ technique tool box with many characterized mutant and transgenic lines and easiness of work with this model allow for long-term (up to a few days) and simultaneous studies in the same organism of various events e.g.: parallel observations of the behaviour of macrophages, neutrophils and tumour cells (He S. et al., 2012, J Pathol. 227:431-445) or observations of the behaviour of osteoblasts upon bacterial infection (model for skeletal tuberculosis, unpublished data). This helps to reduce the number of animals that are needed to carry out experiments. High fecundity, synchronized development and easiness in maintaining and treating embryos make this fish particularly suitable for automated high-throughput screens (Spaink H. et al., 2013, Methods. 15:246-54 and Letamendia A. et al., 2012, PLoS One). All this characteristic makes zebrafish an excellent model for in vitro and in vivo studies . For illustration see work of Park H.-G. and Yeo M.-K. (Molecular and Cellular Toxicology, 2013, 9: 375-383) or by van Manen E.H. and colleagues (Odontology, 2014, 102:14-21) where properties of nanomaterials have been tested during bone and dental regeneration. 

Zebrafish Core Facility (ZCF) at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB) is a licensed breeding facility that was established in 2012 as a base for Fishing Targets and Medicines (FishMed; http://fishmed.iimcb.gov.pl) – a coordination and support actions financed by the 7th Framework Program of the European Union. Since 2014, ZCF invites new internal and external projects and collaborations. We offer: (i) various lines of Danio rerio, (ii) help with handling the zebrafish model (fish husbandry, experiments planning and conducting, teaching various techniques), and (iii) provide bench space in fully equipped zebrafish laboratory. For more information visit http://www.iimcb.gov.pl/zebrafish-core-facility.html or contact us at: [email protected]; Zebrafish Core Facility, IIMCB, 4 Ks. Trojdena Street, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland. 

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