How baby fish bodies form during early development

Inductive and morphogenetic processes shaping the zebrafish embryonic axes

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-11075251

This project helps us learn how early life forms, using tiny zebrafish to understand how bodies are built.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11075251 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We are exploring the fundamental steps that guide how a body takes shape during early development, focusing on how cells communicate and organize themselves. By studying zebrafish, we can observe these complex processes in detail, like how an embryo stretches and narrows to form its body axis. This work helps us understand the basic instructions that ensure a healthy body develops correctly, which can inform our understanding of human development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This basic science project does not involve direct patient participation.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical interventions would not directly benefit from this foundational research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: This foundational knowledge could one day help us understand the causes of birth defects and develop ways to prevent or treat them.

How similar studies have performed: Researchers have made progress in understanding cell signaling pathways, and this project builds upon previous findings using new genetic tools.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.