Based on the advanced drug development platform, Creative Biolabs provides genetically engineered models for psychiatric disorders target validation, including genetic modulation in a non-mammalian model.
Introduction of Non-mammalian Model
In early research, non-mammalian model organisms are often used to quickly answer discovery questions, such as the function of genes, or to define novel therapeutic entry points. The most popular model organisms in biological and biomedical research are Drosophila, zebrafish and nematodes. Their advantages are relatively short reproduction time, easy to grow under laboratory conditions, much cheaper than mouse models, and more powerful than cell culture systems. In addition, due to the large number of molecular and genetic tools available for the study of Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans and zebrafish, together with their developmental and behavioral similarities, these organisms have become powerful alternatives to mammalian models for the study of human genetics and diseases.
Zebrafish Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The 16p11.2 CNV has been studied in zebrafish. Scientists analyzed 24 of the genes contained within this CNV and identified one, KCDT13, as most likely being causative for ASD. Overexpression of kcdt13 (by mRNA injection) led to microcephaly, whereas gene-specific morpholino knock-down caused an increase in head size, likely due to alteration of the cell cycle in both cases. This study provides a neat demonstration of the use of zebrafish to identify disease-causing variants within large genomic regions.
Why Recommend Fish Models?
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Fish provide an array of practical benefits as a lab model. Fish models provide the opportunity for a substantial increase in the scale of experimental operation compared to rodents, enabling large-scale behavioral and genetic screens and rapid study of the effects of pharmacological and genetic perturbations during development.
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In addition to these practical benefits, studying fish allows us to compare the function of neurobiological systems in lab strains with those in/from natural populations.
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Zebrafish have already been established as a powerful model for developmental biology and neuroscience. Zebrafish develop rapidly outside of the mother making it easy to collect and manipulate embryos.
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As a model for behavioral neuroscience, the zebrafish is particularly useful for the optogenetic dissection of the behavior, time-lapse analysis of neurotransmitter pathway formation during development, and screening for novel treatments.
Services in Creative Biolabs
Small model systems allow systematic interpretation of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that affect human disorders. Through the development of new and more professional analytical methods, small model organisms will continue to provide new insights into the mechanisms of complex human diseases, and can provide initial target validation for novel therapeutic drugs.
Creative Biolabs has been committed to providing first-class services to customers all over the world. We use non-mammals to help bewildered researchers validate targets. If you have any questions, please contact us.
For Research Use Only.
