Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC)

OVERALL PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Zebrafish is a premiere organism to study vertebrate development, physiology, behavior, genetics, and disease. Powerful techniques allow efficient generation and recovery of zebrafish mutations affecting genes that regulate developmental patterning, organogenesis, physiology, and behavior. Recent advances make it easy to study gene function in transgenic zebrafish and with antisense oligonucleotides. The functions of many, if not most of these genes are conserved among vertebrate groups. Thus, analysis of zebrafish mutations provides insights into gene function in other vertebrates, including humans. The Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) has been established as a repository that provides animals, materials, and services to the research community. This proposal seeks continued funding 1) to serve as a central repository for zebrafish genetic stocks and research materials, 2) to provide consultation and pathology services, and 3) to develop feeding and nutrition strategies for zebrafish that support ZIRC and research community husbandry goals. ZIRC materials, services, and husbandry and health standards will be made widely available to the research community.