Using a transparent fish model to study immune processes and diseases
Official title: Danionella cerebrum as a transparent vertebrate adult model for studying immune-related biological processes and diseases
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10772174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is using a tiny, see-through fish to watch how immune cells work in real-time, helping us learn more about diseases and aging, so we can better understand how our immune system responds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21OD033664-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10772174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are interested in immune-related health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to immune processes or those who are not adults may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing Danionella cerebrum, a small, transparent fish, to investigate immune-related biological processes and their effects on diseases. By utilizing this unique model, researchers can perform live imaging to observe how immune cells behave in real-time, particularly as they relate to disease progression and aging. The study aims to establish the necessary infrastructure for using this fish as a model organism, leveraging advanced genetic techniques to enhance our understanding of immune dynamics in various conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into immune-related diseases and potentially improve treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using zebrafish models has shown success in studying similar immune processes, suggesting potential for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lam, Pui Ying — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Lam, Pui Ying
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.