Ahead of the curve: imaging and computational analysis of shape and form in the developing zebrafish ear
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Biomedical Science
Abstract
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Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Tanya Whitfield (Primary Supervisor) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011151/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2023 | |||
| 1945744 | Studentship | BB/M011151/1 | 30/09/2017 | 07/03/2023 |
| Description | During embryonic development of the zebrafish inner ear we see different structures exhibiting a range of cell shapes. The early stages of semicircular canal formation involve the genesis of epithelial projections through events of tissue folding during which the epithelium inverts its curvature. So far, I have discovered that cells in these epithelial projections change their 3D shape as the tissue folds and this is accompanied by a change in protein distribution (including cytoskeletal and adhesion proteins). |
| Exploitation Route | The quantitative approach to analyse cell shape in 3D and protein distribution in 2D can now be applied to data from mutant zebrafish in which the semicircular canals are absent or abnormal. In addition, since tissue folding is a common mechanism in morphogenesis of other organs, the findings are not relevant just for inner ear researchers but for a more generic biology field. |
| Sectors | Education Healthcare |
| Description | Zebrafish Research at The University of Sheffield |
| 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 | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Every year, two to three times a year, the zebrafish facility at the University of Sheffield organises school visits for a week to our Bateson Centre. Each day we present a talk on animal research, disease models and the zebrafish facility that we have; we teach about how useful and helpful studying disease in zebrafish can be (including a workshop and activities/games about zebrafish anatomy, genetics,etc); and we teach about zebrafish husbandry (showing them our aquariums). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |