Next-Generation Transgenesis in Zebrafish.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Biomedical Science
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a small tropical fish that has rapidly become an excellent model for biomedical studies. Zebrafish are inexpensive to maintain and breed readily. The young fish are small and relatively transparent which enables researchers to make microscopic observations in the living animal. This research project aims to develop an exciting new technology that will allow us to watch individual cells in the intact animal. To do this we will fluorescently label individual cells which will allow us to follow them using high-resolution microscopy. This new technology will also allow us to target specific molecules within these labelled cells to disrupt their activity. The molecules that we will target play important roles in regeneration, stem cells and cancer. After we disrupt the function of a molecule, we will be able to watch the cell to see whether its movement, division or differentiation potential are affected. For example we can test whether disruption of one molecule in a cell causes it to divide rapidly and form a tumour. This method will even allow us to follow what happens to an individual cell over a period of months or years. These exciting new tools will enable many researchers around the world to answer unresolved questions and will open up many new areas for biomedical research.
Technical Summary
We propose to make a large set of creERT2 and lox based lines which will be useful to many Zebrafish researchers including those in the fields of stem cell biology, regeneration and cancer. We will make more than 15 tissue-specific creERT2 transgenes to drive recombination in a range of precursor and differentiated cell types. We will make a set of 3 lineage tracing lines which will enable researchers to permanently label individual cells and their descendants and follow their behaviour (migration, division and differentiation) throughout the life of the animal. In addition, we will make a set of lox based transgenes that will enable researchers to up- or downregulate the activity of more than 7 pathways permanently in a given cell (PathM lines). The following pathways will be targeted in the first instance: FGF, WNT, BMP, Notch, Hedgehog, Hippo, JAK/STAT. Four more PathM lines will be generated at the request of the Zebrafish community. All lines will be freely available as soon as they are established and with the appropriate material transfer agreement(s) in place. We will establish a website to publicise the resource, aid in distribution and to provide a discussion group for trouble-shooting. Our overall aim is to galvanize the use of the Cre/Lox system in Zebrafish research and in doing so provide many new tools for biomedical research.
Planned Impact
CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IN THE UK AND GLOBALLY
This project will greatly enhance productivity in the cancer, stem cell and regeneration fields, and thus in the long-term, many patient groups in related fields. Given the breadth of these fields, it would be difficult to underestimate this project's potential impact:
Cancer
Many cancers are of clonal origin and involve the signalling pathways targeted in this application. By generating new methods to induce clonal tumour formation we will be generating new models to enhance our understanding of tumour biology. These models may also present suitable platforms for screens to identify anti-tumour drugs.
Stem cells
Although most ongoing research uses cell culture, it is very important to study stem cells in living animals to fully understand their needs and capabilities and the signals controlling these; the tools developed here will allow this. This knowledge will facilitate our ability to manipulate endogenous stem cells and to predict how transplanted cells should behave when reintroduced during regenerative therapy; it may even allow creation of precursor cells tailored to specific needs.
Regeneration
Zebrafish have a tremendous capacity for regeneration, with mature cell types (e.g. osteoblasts, myocytes) dedifferentiating, proliferating and then redifferentiating. Little is known about which signalling pathways regulate these steps and whether dedifferentiated cells are lineage restricted in vivo; tools made in this project will allow these questions to be answered. If, for example, we could identify which signals trigger dedifferentiation of myocytes, this knowledge might be used to stimulate repair in humans after myocardial infarction.
EXPLOITATION AND APPLICATION
This research will benefit multiple user groups, outside the immediate academic partnership. Most immediately (2-5 years) other academic, charity and industrial parties will benefit from the availability of these tools to use in their own studies and applications. In the medium term (5-15 years), cancer/degenerative disease patients and the NHS would benefit from the therapeutic application of the data obtained with these tools.
Our work has clear potential impacts, within a 5-15 year timescale, on the nation's wealth, through contributing to the efficient development of patentable therapies for cancer, injuries and ageing diseases; and to the nation's health, through providing the basic science allowing the provision of more, and more effective, treatments.
Identification of potential patent filings will be a key agenda item at the internal laboratory meetings. The Universities are agreed in principle that Sheffield will take the lead and that all parties will co-operate to ensure proper protection and exploitation of IP arising from the research. The Department of Biomedical Science (Sheffield) employs a Research Translator (Dr. Susan Smith(SS)). SS is hosted within BMS to facilitate commercialisation of academic research and interaction with industry as appropriate. SS is a biochemist by training and has worked in biotech companies in the US and Germany in several research and development roles, as well as business development. She is a PRINCE2 registered practitioner with experience in project management and, through her work at the University of Sheffield, in knowledge transfer. Her knowledge transfer and industry skills will facilitate building new links to, and ways to engage, commercial beneficiaries, for example through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. At the University of Bath, the Research Development and Collaborations (RDC) team and technology transfer office (Bath Ventures) will provide a comprehensive framework of support to ensure that outputs are identified and protected and appropriate routes and partnerships are developed to maximise commercial and societal value. Both Sheffield and Bath have successful track records in promoting and exploiting their research outputs.
This project will greatly enhance productivity in the cancer, stem cell and regeneration fields, and thus in the long-term, many patient groups in related fields. Given the breadth of these fields, it would be difficult to underestimate this project's potential impact:
Cancer
Many cancers are of clonal origin and involve the signalling pathways targeted in this application. By generating new methods to induce clonal tumour formation we will be generating new models to enhance our understanding of tumour biology. These models may also present suitable platforms for screens to identify anti-tumour drugs.
Stem cells
Although most ongoing research uses cell culture, it is very important to study stem cells in living animals to fully understand their needs and capabilities and the signals controlling these; the tools developed here will allow this. This knowledge will facilitate our ability to manipulate endogenous stem cells and to predict how transplanted cells should behave when reintroduced during regenerative therapy; it may even allow creation of precursor cells tailored to specific needs.
Regeneration
Zebrafish have a tremendous capacity for regeneration, with mature cell types (e.g. osteoblasts, myocytes) dedifferentiating, proliferating and then redifferentiating. Little is known about which signalling pathways regulate these steps and whether dedifferentiated cells are lineage restricted in vivo; tools made in this project will allow these questions to be answered. If, for example, we could identify which signals trigger dedifferentiation of myocytes, this knowledge might be used to stimulate repair in humans after myocardial infarction.
EXPLOITATION AND APPLICATION
This research will benefit multiple user groups, outside the immediate academic partnership. Most immediately (2-5 years) other academic, charity and industrial parties will benefit from the availability of these tools to use in their own studies and applications. In the medium term (5-15 years), cancer/degenerative disease patients and the NHS would benefit from the therapeutic application of the data obtained with these tools.
Our work has clear potential impacts, within a 5-15 year timescale, on the nation's wealth, through contributing to the efficient development of patentable therapies for cancer, injuries and ageing diseases; and to the nation's health, through providing the basic science allowing the provision of more, and more effective, treatments.
Identification of potential patent filings will be a key agenda item at the internal laboratory meetings. The Universities are agreed in principle that Sheffield will take the lead and that all parties will co-operate to ensure proper protection and exploitation of IP arising from the research. The Department of Biomedical Science (Sheffield) employs a Research Translator (Dr. Susan Smith(SS)). SS is hosted within BMS to facilitate commercialisation of academic research and interaction with industry as appropriate. SS is a biochemist by training and has worked in biotech companies in the US and Germany in several research and development roles, as well as business development. She is a PRINCE2 registered practitioner with experience in project management and, through her work at the University of Sheffield, in knowledge transfer. Her knowledge transfer and industry skills will facilitate building new links to, and ways to engage, commercial beneficiaries, for example through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. At the University of Bath, the Research Development and Collaborations (RDC) team and technology transfer office (Bath Ventures) will provide a comprehensive framework of support to ensure that outputs are identified and protected and appropriate routes and partnerships are developed to maximise commercial and societal value. Both Sheffield and Bath have successful track records in promoting and exploiting their research outputs.
Organisations
- University of Sheffield (Lead Research Organisation)
- National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Centre (Collaboration)
- Francis Crick Institute (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Collaboration)
- University of Bath (Collaboration)
- Technical University of Dresden (Collaboration)
- University of Utah (Collaboration)
- Medical Research Council (MRC) (Collaboration)
- Saitama Medical University (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Henry Roehl (Principal Investigator) | |
Robert Kelsh (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Gray C
(2013)
Loss of function of parathyroid hormone receptor 1 induces Notch-dependent aortic defects during zebrafish vascular development.
in Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology
Ando K
(2016)
Clarification of mural cell coverage of vascular endothelial cells by live imaging of zebrafish.
in Development (Cambridge, England)
Dyer C
(2014)
A bi-modal function of Wnt signalling directs an FGF activity gradient to spatially regulate neuronal differentiation in the midbrain.
in Development (Cambridge, England)
Ando K
(2021)
Conserved and context-dependent roles for pdgfrb signaling during zebrafish vascular mural cell development
in Developmental Biology
Petratou K
(2019)
Neural Crest Methodologies in Zebrafish and Medaka.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Romero MMG
(2018)
Damage-induced reactive oxygen species enable zebrafish tail regeneration by repositioning of Hedgehog expressing cells.
in Nature communications
Schartl M
(2016)
What is a vertebrate pigment cell?
in Pigment cell & melanoma research
Nagao Y
(2018)
Distinct interactions of Sox5 and Sox10 in fate specification of pigment cells in medaka and zebrafish.
in PLoS genetics
Camargo-Sosa K
(2019)
Endothelin receptor Aa regulates proliferation and differentiation of Erb-dependent pigment progenitors in zebrafish.
in PLoS genetics
Marsay KS
(2021)
Tetraspanin Cd9b and Cxcl12a/Cxcr4b have a synergistic effect on the control of collective cell migration.
in PloS one
Title | New transgenic zebrafish inducible Cre driver lines |
Description | We have made and demonstrated the usefulness of multiple Cre driver lines for neural stem cells, neural crest stem cells, pigment cells. |
Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - non-mammalian in vivo |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Tool use now being prepared for publication. Some lines have been shared already, others will be on publication or request. |
Description | Collaborator receiving new Cre driver line |
Organisation | University of Utah |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provided • Tg(4725-sox10:cre) |
Collaborator Contribution | use in their research |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Collaborator receiving new Cre driver line |
Organisation | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provided zebrafish line: Tg(4725-sox10:cre) x Tg(EF1alpha:loxp-gfp-pA-loxp-dsRed-pA) x Tg(hsp70:loxp-dsRed2-loxp-LYN-EGFP) |
Collaborator Contribution | use in their research |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Generation of zcre lines |
Organisation | University of Bath |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Exchange of reagents and expertise |
Collaborator Contribution | Exchange of reagents and expertise We have generated transgenic Cre driver lines as follows: gfap:ERT2CreERT2 (5) mitfa:ERT2CreERT2 (3) vsx3:ERT2CreERT2 (3) Rx2:ERT2CreERT2 P2Runx3:ERT2CreERT2 (3) P1Runx3:ERT2CreERT2 (2) dct:ERT2CreERT2 (4) colX:ERT2CreERT2 (4) These have been assessed for Cre expression pattern |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Provision of Cre driver line to collaborator |
Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provided • Tg(-2.2gfap:creERT2,cryaa:Venus) x Tg(hsp70:lox-dsRed-lox-LYN-eGFP) |
Collaborator Contribution | Use in their research |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Provision of Cre driver line to collaborator |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Department | MRC Human Genetics Unit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provided • Tg(-4725sox10:cre)ba74 x Tg(EF1alpha:loxp-gfp-pA-loxp-dsRed-pA) x Tg(hsp70:loxp-dsRed2-loxp-LYN-EGFP) |
Collaborator Contribution | Use in their research |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Provision of Cre driver line to collaborator |
Organisation | National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Centre |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Provision • Tg(-4725sox10:cre)ba74 x Tg(EF1alpha:loxp-gfp-pA-loxp-dsRed-pA) x Tg(hsp70:loxp-dsRed2-loxp-LYN-EGFP |
Collaborator Contribution | Us ein their research |
Impact | Manuscript submitted |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Provision of Cre driver line to collaborator |
Organisation | University College London |
Department | Department of Cell and Developmental Biology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provision of • Tg(Vsx3(M):ERT2CreERT2:Cryaa:Venus)ba113;Tg(hsp70:loxp-dsRed-loxp-LYN-eGFP)/ Tg(-2.2gfap:creERT2,cryaa:Venus) x Tg(hsp70:lox-dsRed-lox-LYN-eGFP): |
Collaborator Contribution | Use in their research |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Provision of Cre driver lines to collaborator |
Organisation | Saitama Medical University |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provision • Tg(-4725sox10:cre)ba74 x Tg(EF1alpha:loxp-gfp-pA-loxp-dsRed-pA) x Tg(hsp70:loxp-dsRed2-loxp-LYN-EGFP) |
Collaborator Contribution | Use in their research |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Provision of Cre driver to collaborator |
Organisation | Technical University of Dresden |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provision of • Tg(Sox10:cre; hsp70:loxp-dsRed-loxp-LYN-eGFP; hsp70:loxp-dsRed-loxp-NLS-eGFP) |
Collaborator Contribution | Use in their research |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | 9th European Zebrafish Meeting (Norway) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | We presented a poster: Simoes, B., Chopra, K., Jacinto, A., Martin, P., Patient, R., Patton, E., Placzek, M., Wilson, S.,Roehl, H.H., Kelsh, R.N. The ZCre project: Cre/lox transgenic tools in zebrafish. 9th European Zebrafish Meeting, Oslo, Norway, Jun 2015 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | CRUK/MRC Outreach Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | There were about 30 attendees at each event. The event consists of two talks followed by lab tours and demonstrations. We received an excellent approval rating on both occasions (100% and 94%) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Poster at 8th European Zebrafish Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Poster presented at 8th European Zebrafish Meeting, Barcelona, Spain Useful discussions with other workers using similar systems |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Poster at BSCB/BSDB Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Poster presented Interest in our project from multiple researchers |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Public engagement |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Sheffield Festival of Science and Engineering, Sheffield It was a busy day with many school children and families learning about genetic research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Public outreach |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Stand entitle 'Zebrafish - not just pets!' presented by Kelsh group as part of the Bath Taps into Science festival, Victoria Park, Bath. Aim to educate the public on biomedical use of zebrafish in reseacrh. >75 visitors during the day |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Public outreach |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 22/05/14 Life Festival, Sheffield (Displays)We received a lot of positive feedback We received a lot of positive feedback |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Schools conference talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I spoke each year to an audience of 60+ Sixth form students preparing for University applications, on the topic of 'Developmental biology and regenerative medicine', at the London Student Conferences' Biology Day COnference My talk clearly went down well, and I have been invited back |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
URL | http://www.londonstudentconferences.co.uk/ |
Description | Schools outreach |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Informal discussion with group of local school children on use of fish in biomedical research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Talk at FABA 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | I gave Plenary Talk at FABA2013 conference in Turkey Several young Turkish researchers engaged me in discussion about transgenic zebrafish and their uses in research. One collaboration with junior Turkish academic |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Talk at Zebrafish Transgenics Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | c 30 attended my talk at the workshop talk well-received |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Transgenics Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Spoke at International Transgenic Technologies meeting to mixed audience of researchers, students and animal care workers Talk was well-received by organisors and audience |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |