Vertebrate development is a complex process involving numerous, tightly regulated signaling pathways. Growth factors and their receptors are some of the most influential genes and proteins regulating the various stages of development. Key to understanding the growth and development of the human body, is the use of other vertebrates to dissect the regulatory networks and then applying this information to human development. Common models for vertebrate development include mouse, chick and zebrafish. We use the zebrafish as a model for vertebrate development, and specifically to study Neural Crest Cell (NCC) development and specification as it relates to craniofacial development. We are also interested in the role of various growth factors during tooth development, specifically mineralization and how that process is disprupted by fluoride.

Why Zebrafish?
The zebrafish, Danio rerio is an ideal model for vertebrate development (http://zfin.org/zf_info/zfbook/stages/index.html). Zebrafish are a freshwater fish that is easily cultivated in a laboratory setting. When mated, an adult zebrafish can produce up to 250 embryos at once. External fertilization, and transparency of the embryos allows visualization from the single cell stage throughout development, as well as facilitating genetic manipulation by making it possible to easily microinject and manipulate recently fertilized embryos. Finally, at 3 months a zebrafish reaches sexual maturity making it one of the shortest generation times for a vertebrate.

GENETIC SCREENING
One of the main advantages of working with zebrafish is the ability to perform forward genetic screens. Usually, what this means is that you breed genetically related fish together (most often siblings) and then assess any phenotypes that arise in the progeny. Many screens have been undertaken in the community and many thousands of mutations have been isolated. Our group has participated in a screen looking for mutations that disrupt development of craniofacial structures.