Scientists at Duke Medicine are making significant headway in the study of Cryptococcal meningitis and its method of progression, thanks to the transparent zebrafish.
The unique, transparent nature of this delicate species of fish allows researchers to watch in real time as Cryptococcal meningitis moves through the tissue, blood vessels and into the brain of transparent zebrafish larvae.
According to the study, while usually treatable in the U.S. and other developed nations, meningitis brain infections are still responsible for more than 600,000 deaths annually. In order to more effectively target and treat the infection, researchers wanted to learn more about how meningitis moves from the lungs into the brain.
Enter the zebrafish -with its transparent body perfect for viewing the progression of meningitis, and the researchers of Duke University.
In the video above, researchers witness as red-dyed Cryptococcus fungi, made red by a fluorescent tracer, moves through tissue, blood vessels and into the brain. The video also shows blue macrophages working tirelessly to stave off the infection as it spreads through blood vessels (in green), and ultimately, into the brain.
In addition to studies of Cryptococcal meningitis, Duke researchers are also using zebrafish to study other disease-causing bacteria, such as those that lead to tuberculosis.
With life science projects like this one backed by over $1 billion in annual R&D funding, Duke University is a world leader in life science research. Life science events hosted by Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. and held at Duke University are fantastic venues for lab suppliers to meet and interact with its active and highly funded scientists.
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