Presentation Type
Thesis
Department
Environmental Science
Location
Walker Conference Center C
Description
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been recognized as an exemplary organism for studying human health and disease due to their similarity in genetics and anatomy to humans. Histological samples of zebrafish are crucial for observing tissue structures related to developmental biology, pathology related to treatment effects, disease states, and tumor classifications. Zebrafish tissues share all the same morphological features as human tissues with the exception of the respiratory and integumentary systems. The utility of zebrafish as a vertebrate animal has produced a wide array of online databases and resources pertaining to zebrafish as an effective model for basic and translational research of human biology and disease. Current best practices and protocols for obtaining zebrafish histological samples were adopted and adapted for our zebrafish lab. Preparation of histology slides involves multiple steps, including euthanasia, necropsy, tissue fixation, dehydration, embedding, mounting, and staining. Optimizing protocols and establishing proper laboratory procedures for each of these steps, including the preparation of routine reagents required for tissue processing and staining were performed. Specialized laboratory equipment and apparatus also had to be obtained and brought into working order. The end products of these steps are microscope slides of zebrafish tissues sectioned for examination. These histology procedures will be used in the future to create complete sets of organ tissue slides for undergraduate coursework in Histology at Ouachita Baptist University. These procedures will also be used in future studies of developmental biology and sex determination in zebrafish-based undergraduate research.
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Included in
From Necropsy to H&E: Optimizing Protocols for Zebrafish Histology
Walker Conference Center C
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been recognized as an exemplary organism for studying human health and disease due to their similarity in genetics and anatomy to humans. Histological samples of zebrafish are crucial for observing tissue structures related to developmental biology, pathology related to treatment effects, disease states, and tumor classifications. Zebrafish tissues share all the same morphological features as human tissues with the exception of the respiratory and integumentary systems. The utility of zebrafish as a vertebrate animal has produced a wide array of online databases and resources pertaining to zebrafish as an effective model for basic and translational research of human biology and disease. Current best practices and protocols for obtaining zebrafish histological samples were adopted and adapted for our zebrafish lab. Preparation of histology slides involves multiple steps, including euthanasia, necropsy, tissue fixation, dehydration, embedding, mounting, and staining. Optimizing protocols and establishing proper laboratory procedures for each of these steps, including the preparation of routine reagents required for tissue processing and staining were performed. Specialized laboratory equipment and apparatus also had to be obtained and brought into working order. The end products of these steps are microscope slides of zebrafish tissues sectioned for examination. These histology procedures will be used in the future to create complete sets of organ tissue slides for undergraduate coursework in Histology at Ouachita Baptist University. These procedures will also be used in future studies of developmental biology and sex determination in zebrafish-based undergraduate research.