It was the late 1960s when phage geneticist George Streisinger began to look for a model system in which to study the genetic basis of vertebrate neural development. His passion for tropical fish led him to the humble zebrafish. He was a ‘visionary’, remembers neurobiologist Judith Eisen (University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States), ‘who laid the groundwork for the use of zebrafish as a developmental model’.

Eisen, who now heads her own research group, went to Oregon in 1983 to work on Xenopus neural development but soon became attracted to zebrafish as a model organism. By the early 1980s, she explains, Streisinger had worked out many of the genetic tricks needed to tackle zebrafish development. What’s more, the fish had ‘wonderful embryology’. The embryo, which develops outside its mother, is transparent. ‘You can see different cell types, watch individual cells develop, do transplantation experiments’, Eisen enthuses, ‘and development is quick but not too quick’. Being able to watch individual neurons developing in real time opened up whole new avenues of research for Eisen and other neurobiologists.

It is passion that drives one to take steps in a direction, where no one had ever dared to. We believe, young students and accessible zebrafish research facilities will encourage more students to become scientists of tomorrow. And will attract more research opportunities in public and private domains.

In this section we present some labs.

Whizbang Bioresearch Pvt Ltd –

Shanmugapriya Surenderan – Founder Director of Whizbang Bioresearch (WBR Labs), WBR is a Biomedical CRO, providing services on Zebrafish research, Histology, Invitro research, animal studies, etc. WBR provides one-stop integrated Drug Development and pharmaceutical services including biology, chemistry, and preclinical tests for the scientific community. At WBR, you will find professional, comprehensive, efficient yet affordable solutions. For scholars and academicians; we can crystallize your research idea and assist you to bring it as a final product/publication/patent etc. Located at #20, Pillayar Koil Street, Kaduvetty, Veeraraghavapuram, Thiruverkadu, Chennai- 600077. One can visit their website https://wbrlabs.in/ or contact them on  +91-7904195106 | +91-7397247127 whizbangbioresearch@gmail.com.

Pentagrit CRO –

Pentagrit is a zebrafish discovery lab offering efficacy screening services. Facilities includes state of art zebrafish facility for pre-clinical development across segments Oncology, Inflammation, Gene Therapy, Metabolic and Cardiovascular, Neurology, and Infectious diseases. A Pre-Clinical Development CRO with 100% focus on Zebrafish as a research model for screening service.  They hold the expertise to precisely resolve candidate activity, through our experience of monitoring hundreds of compounds in various zebrafish models that replicate human pathophysiology. Zebrafish research model facility with capacity of 10,000 Adults. Zebrafish breeding farm to generate lineages with capacity of 3 million eggs per day. Zebrafish necropsy and pathology lab with assessments by certified pathologist and state of art tools. Zebrafish core lab  for biochemical analysis. Zebrafish specialty lab for ECG, Respiration and Behaviour Studies. Zebrafish molecular lab for the design of humanised models and biomarker evaluations. Fish vet network to verify model traits that are genotype driven. Zebrafish kit developers towards accurate endpoint assessment. Data science experts with ability to interpret new and complex outcomes. Pentagrit is a 100% zebrafish focused CRO with human equivalence zebrafish models across Neurology, Immunology & Infection, Cell & Gene therapy.

Located at Plot No.12, Sekaran Nagar first main road, Sekaran Nagar, Chennai, India. visit them on https://www.pentagrit. com/ or contact kal@pentagrit.com, +91 8056156420.

KIIT Bhubaneshwar –

KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) is a deemed University and has a School of Biotechnology located on Campus XI, Patia, Bhubaneswar 751024. Odisha, where a Zebrafish Facility & Research Centre is based. They have been undertaking Basic Research via Zebrafish Model. One can contact them on Ph: +91 674 2725732, 2725466 institute@kiitbiotech.ac.in or visit https://biotech.kiit.ac.in/ for more information

Madras Medical Mission  —

The Madras Medical Mission is an organization inspired by the missionary zeal of Bishop Zachariah Mar Dionysius, Metropolitan of the Madras Diocese of the Orthodox Church of India. Strengthened by the devotion and commitment of the members of this Community at Chennai (erstwhile Madras city of Tamil Nadu ) who promoted the registered charitable society in 1982, it strives to participate in the healing ministry by seeking to foster an environment of caring, compassion and love that enables it to respond to patient needs in enviable ways. The Center for Genetic Studies & Research (CGSR) is a newly established center running successfully for the past 8 years at The Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, providing genetic services with facilities for conducting diagnostics, counselling, academics and research housed with advanced equipment and technology.

One can contact them further – Zebrafish Research Lab, Department of Genetics, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai-600 037, India. or visit https://www.madrasmedicalmission.org.in/index.php.

SRM University –

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, is a private deemed university located in Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, near Chennai. Zebrafish Genetics Laboratory Department of Genetic Engineering SRM Institute of Science and Technology is where one can get in touch to enquire further – https://www.srmist.edu.in/ or get in touch with prasanthbhatt.n@ktr.srmuniv.ac.in.

Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) —

Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) of C.Abdul Hakeem College has been involved in research on diseases of economically important aquatic animals since 2000. It maintains strong working relationships with National and International research organizations, aquaculture industries, farmers and hatchery operators. The objective of AAHL is to carry out research work on diseases of aquatic animals particularly on developing diagnostics and control and preventive measures. Located at C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam – 632509. Vellore Dt., Tamilnadu, India. one can visit them at http://www.aahl.res.in

Agharkar Research Institute —

Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) is an autonomous, grant-in-aid research institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It conducts research activities in animal sciences, microbial sciences, and plant sciences. They are located at Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Road, Pune – 411004 Maharashtra, India. Phones: + 91-20-25325000 / + 91-020-25653680. Email: director@aripune.org Website: www.aripune.org

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) The Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture assists small aqua farmers in optimising their finfish and shrimp farming by providing suitable modern technologies. They also offer study courses and research facilities for students, farmers and entrepreneurs. CIBA regularly conducts farmers’ meet, trainings, exhibitions, workshops, and brainstorming sessions. Located at #75, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600028. on can visit http://www.ciba.res.in/ for more information.

Oriental Aquamarine Biotech India (P) Ltd —

Oriental Aquamarine Biotech (India) P Ltd offers a patented NITRIFYING BIOREACTOR TECHNOLOGY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS (RAS). The Nitrifying Bioreactors continuously and effectively transform ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate, and further to elemental nitrogen and bring down their residual levels near to zero. They have an aquatic research facility and it is associated with Nordic Network on Recirculating Aquaculture Systems. Located at U-7, Kovaipudur, Coimbatore – 641042 one can visit http://www.nitrifying-bioreactor.com/index.php. or contact them on mohan@nitrifying-bioreactor.com
orientalconsult@dataone.in, orientalaquamarine.cbe@gmail.com.