Targeted cell ablation is a powerful approach for investigating cellular functions, tissue regeneration, developmental processes and disease pathogenesis. Several genetic methods are available for cell ablation, but the ablation process is relatively slow, requiring at least several hours. This can be a disadvantage when examining relatively rapid cellular events (ranging from seconds to minutes) during development or in physiology. This proposal tests the feasibility of a novel genetic cell ablation technology established in mammals for mediating rapid cell ablation in zebrafish. Preliminary data indicate that the system works very well in vitro with cultured zebrafish neurons. These studies will optimize the conditions for effective and rapid cell ablation in vivo, in gastrulating embryos to swimming larvae.

Public Health Relevance

Targeted cell ablation is a powerful experimental technique for investigating cellular functions, tissue regeneration, developmental processes and disease pathogenesis. Several genetic methods are available for cell ablation, but the ablation process is relatively slow, requiring several hours. This proposal seeks to validate a novel genetic technology for rapid cell ablation in vivo in zebrafish.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03HD098555-01
Application #
9723637
Study Section
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Initial Review Group (CHHD)
Program Officer
Henken, Deborah B
Project Start
2019-04-01
Project End
2021-03-31
Budget Start
2019-04-01
Budget End
2020-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Missouri-Columbia
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
153890272
City
Columbia
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
65211