Zebrafish Functional Genomics Core

The Zebrafish Functional Genomics Core is a specialized platform for in vivo modeling that supports Sidra’s translational research and precision medicine goals.

Zebrafish share extensive genetic similarity with humans, making them ideal for modeling disease, validating gene variants, and testing therapies. The facility houses a fully automated aquaculture system that maintains over 700 zebrafish from wild-type and transgenic lines under tightly controlled conditions.

In the Microinjection and Transgenesis Suite, embryos are genetically modified using CRISPR/Cas9 and morpholinos to investigate gene function and create disease models. Researchers can inject genetic material into one-cell stage embryos with micromanipulators and monitor their development in real time.

The Imaging and Phenotyping Area is equipped with Zeiss fluorescence microscopes to observe developmental stages, gene expression, and morphological outcomes. This is followed by the Functional Assay and Screening Bench, where researchers conduct behavioral tracking, phenotypic rescue experiments, and drug screening to assess therapeutic potential.

The Zebrafish Core transforms genetic information into biological insights that directly inform human health and therapeutic development.