The ZF-Models Project at Sanger
Background
The ZF-MODELS IP will produce knowledge and technology in the form of disease models, drug targets and insight into pathways of gene regulation applicable to human development and disease. It will achieve these aims by combining the advantages of the zebrafish in developmental biology with recent advances in functional genomics and with the zebrafish genome sequence to harvest large data sets on gene functions. This will include the first integrated use of several newly developed tools on a massive scale:
Mutagenesis screening for new phenotypes of medical interest, in particular in adult fish, will identify novel genes of medical interest (forward genetics).
Analysis of expression patterns by GFP enhancer trap and in situ screening will provide qualitative gene expression data and cell type specific material for quantitative analysis.
Expression profiling and proteomics analysis of mutant and knock-down conditions will provide quantitative data and let us model regulatory pathways.
A virtual European centre for targeted knock-out (reverse genetics) will provide mutant phenotypes of identified candidate genes.
All project data will be integrated in a European zebrafish database that will present an unprecedented view of gene expression in vertebrate development, and let us apply this knowledge to human health.
We will establish a European Working Group on Vertebrate Models to integrate and strengthen research in the field in the ERA.
ZF-MODELS will:
Promote world class research in this key priority area of comparative genomics of clinical relevance,
Provide the tools necessary to researchers to increase the understanding of the basic mechanisms of major human diseases
Bring together the leading European research groups and develop an interface with clinical researchers seeking to address major diseases,
Contribute to the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe by enabling the development of improved therapies.