The U of M unveiled a state-of-the-art biomedical fish facility on Nov. 18, showcasing zebrafish and Mexican tetras as cost-effective models for advancing human health research due to their genetic similarity to humans and regenerative capabilities.
Located in the basement of the Chown Building on the Bannatyne campus, the $2.5 million facility is a home to 2,000 zebrafish and 250 Mexican tetras. The fish tanks are in a multi-rack holding unit that automatically controls all aspects of water quality, ensuring optimal living conditions for the fish.
This cutting-edge equipment supports a range of studies, from genetic pathways to behavioural research, unlocking insights into development, healing and disease prevention.
The initiative is co-led by Dr. Devi Atukorallaya, an associate professor of oral biology at the Dr. Gerald Niznick college of dentistry, and Dr. Benjamin Lindsey, an assistant professor of human anatomy and cell science at the Max Rady college of medicine. Both professors emphasize the transformative potential of this facility for Manitoba’s research community.
“We encourage other Manitoba scientists to learn about the potential of these animals for health research and collaboration. One advantage is that fish are more cost-effective for research than small mammals, such as mice,” Atukorallaya said to UM Today. “The developmental genetic pathways in these fish are remarkably similar to those in humans. About 70 per cent of the genes are the same as human genes,” she added.
The facility represents a significant investment in the future of biomedical research. The Rady faculty of health sciences contributed around $1.5 million to renovate the space. Joint grants of $843,000 and $90,000 were received by Atukorallaya and Lindsey, respectively, from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund, Research Manitoba and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to fund the equipment. “We are honoured to be part of this world-class research facility,” said Jennifer Cleary, CEO of Research Manitoba, which contributed to funding the new equipment.
Key features of the Rady biomedical fish facility include incubators for fish eggs, a high-end confocal microscope that captures fluorescent images of fish and a micro-injection station for injecting fish or larvae with tiny volumes of chemical solutions.
Additionally, it will include a behavioural research system equipped with video cameras and analysis software to monitor swimming speed, memory and responses to stimuli like bitter food.
