Cafe Scientifique

Thursday, July 28, 6:00 – 7:15pm

Annapolis Cafe Scientifique @ 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery presents
“Zebrafish: Models for Cancer Research!”
by Max Ransibrahmanakul, Georgetown University

Abstract: When you think about cancer research and testing cancer therapies on models what “models” come to mind? For most people, mice come to mind. However, did you know that zebrafish can be just as effective if not better models than mice?
Zebrafish share most of the same types of organs and cells as the human body. They have 70 percent of our genes, and 84 percent of the genes we exhibit that are associated with human disease have a zebrafish counterpart! This allows scientists to optimize zebrafish as a model for studying cancer types and therapies to treat them. Due to the many similarities between zebrafish and humans, we can isolate a sample cancer tissue in a zebrafish, observe its development in embryos, and treat it as if it were present in the human body. Another large appeal to the use of zebrafish as models for cancer research is their availability and accessibility. Scientists can choose to breed different genotypes of zebra fish with ease by simply taking different genotypes of zebrafish together in the same tank and obtaining the eggs of this cross. In addition, zebrafish are extremely inexpensive and obtaining more zebrafish for a controlled experiment is easy, given that we can mate them and isolate their eggs for further study! They mature much faster than mice for example, and they are easy to study given the transparency of their embryos. Zebrafish as models for cancer study offer a plethora of benefits for biomedical research. I look forward to talking about the methods we use in the lab to optimize the methods in which we can treat specific patients with various types of cancer!

Bio: Max Ransi will be starting his third year at Georgetown University this Fall. He works in a lab under Principal Investigator Dr. Eric Glasgow, where they use zebrafish as models for studying cancer tissue. Max is excited to get together with everyone and talk about the intersections between marine science and biomedical science!
This event is free but you may reserve seats at 49 West by calling 410-626-9796. For more info, contact annapoliscafesci@gmail.com