DanioReadout – a research infrastructure for zebrafish
DanioReadout is a Medfarm research infrastructure where a lot of studies are made using zebrafish as a model organism. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.
At Uppsala University, DanioReadout is a research infrastructure that provides support, expertise and technical resources for research using zebrafish as a model organism. The infrastructure is a resource for projects in medicine, pharmacy, and related fields, where zebrafish can function as an effective complement to other model systems.
.webp)
Beata Filipek Gorniok and Kaska Koltowska run the research infrastructure. Photo: Robin Widing.
DanioReadout is based at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology. The research infrastructure works in close collaboration with the zebrafish facility at Uppsala Biomedical Centre (BMC), which was inaugurated in 2023 and is currently the largest facility of its kind in Sweden. The activities are primarily focused on Uppsala University, but DanioReadout also engages in national collaborations.
“Our mission is to support research at Uppsala University. Anyone interested in using zebrafish in their project can turn to us, regardless of their previous experience with the model,” says Beata Filipek Gorniok, Operational Director at DanioReadout.
300 specific lines
A central component of DanioReadout’s activities is the genetic modification of zebrafish. Since 2015, the infrastructure has generated nearly 300 zebrafish lines – genetically defined strains with specific, heritable traits used as research models.
“This is our most established service. We have extensive experience in generating new zebrafish lines that can then be used in a wide range of research contexts,” says Beata.
The lines are used to study gene function, disease mechanisms and biological processes, as well as in more applied areas such as drug development and toxicity testing.
“It is often a close collaboration. We contribute zebrafish expertise and technology, while the research group contributes its disease or cell model,” says Beata.
High-throughput imaging and integrated analysis
DanioReadout offers advanced high-throughput imaging, specifically tailored to zebrafish embryos and larvae. The infrastructure has access to several automated imaging systems as well as provides expertise in bioinformatics and image analysis.
“We aim to support researchers at all stages of their work, from project consultancy to providing already analysed data. This increases the chances of successful project outcomes,” says Beata.
This enables more detailed studies in areas such as toxicology and drug screening, where effects can be analysed at the organ and cellular level.
.webp)
Close to 300 zebrafish lines have been developed within DanioReadout, all of them with specific characteristics. Photo: Robin Widing.
Zebrafish as an ideal complement
Zebrafish are currently used across a broad spectrum of biomedical research. A key advantage is that the embryos develop rapidly and are transparent during the first days of development, making it possible to follow biological processes in real time.
“Zebrafish began as a model in developmental biology, but have become increasingly important for disease modelling as well,” says Kaska Koltowska, Scientific Director at DanioReadout.
Approximately 80 per cent of human disease-related genes have counterparts in zebrafish, making the model highly relevant for studies of genetic diseases, cancer and infectious diseases. DanioReadout follows the latest research developments and focuses on developing techniques allowing for, among others, studies of human cancer cells in zebrafish embryos (xenografts).
“Zebrafish act as a bridge between cell culture and mouse models. You can work in a living organism while still retaining the possibility of high-throughput approaches,” says Kaska.
Ethical and practical advantages
Another advantage of Zebrafish is the possibility to conduct pilot studies during the early stages of embryonic development, at a cellular level.
“This aligns well with the 3R principles and makes zebrafish particularly useful in the early stages of a project,” says Beata.
Rapid development also means shorter lead times.
“After just 24 hours, the embryo has a functioning heart. This allows for quick answers in, for example, cardiovascular studies,” says Kaska Koltowska.
.webp)
“We aim to support researchers at all stages of their work, from project consultancy to providing already analysed data. This increases the chances of successful project outcomes,” says Beata Filipek Gorniok. Photo: Robin Widing.
Flexible support and collaborative development
DanioReadout works flexibly and tailors its support to the needs of each project – ranging from full-service solutions to training and supervision for groups that wish to work independently with zebrafish.
“We see every project as a collaboration. Our role is to lower the barriers and make it possible to use zebrafish in a well-considered and efficient way,” says Beata.
In addition to laboratory support, DanioReadout also contributes to consolidating and developing zebrafish research at Uppsala University through seminars, networks and joint activities.
“We want more researchers to discover what zebrafish can contribute to medicine and pharmacy,” concludes Kaska Koltowska.
Robin Widing