How much funding can be received?

Fee-for-service facility offering testing services for the evaluation of toxicological and pharmacological activity in the areas of natural health products and human health therapeutics.

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This grant supports research and development initiatives using the zebrafish model to advance in vivo testing methods and disease model validation. The eligible projects focus on toxicity and pharmacological activity evaluation, leveraging genetic conservation with human genomes.

Development and validation of in vivo assays for industry-specific applications.
Characterization of bioactivity and toxicity using zebrafish models.
Evaluation of toxicological and pharmacological activity for natural health products and human therapeutics.
Creation of customized disease models through transgenesis and genome modification.

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$ 250,000

Identification of mechanisms of action for new natural health products using zebrafish models

$ 150,000

Development of high-throughput behavioral tracking protocols for zebrafish studies

$ 180,000

Pilot study on the effectiveness of intracerebroventricular administration in zebrafish models

$ 200,000

Establishment of a zebrafish preclinical research lab, including equipment for toxicity profiling

$ 220,000

Pharmacological testing of human health therapeutics using intravenous administration

$ 300,000

Implementation of omics techniques in zebrafish for natural product drug discovery

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Companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, natural health product, and human health therapeutics industries can apply for this grant to utilize the zebrafish research facility for developing and validating a range of in vivo assays, methods, and disease models for industry-specific applications.

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This facility encourages projects that leverage the zebrafish model for innovative and cost-effective research and testing. Eligible projects include developing and validating assays that assist in pharmacological and toxicological research, especially in the field of human health therapeutics.

Development and validation of in vivo assays using zebrafish for pharmacological and toxicological research.
Collaborative research projects focusing on natural health products and human health therapeutics using zebrafish models.
Evaluation of toxicological and pharmacological activity of extracts, complex mixtures, and purified compounds.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The evaluation and selection criteria include:

Scientific merit and significance of the proposed research
Alignment with industry-specific applications
Feasibility and appropriateness of the experimental approach
Potential impact on toxicological and pharmacological studies
Potential for collaboration and knowledge exchange

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To apply for this grant, you can contact the following individuals for business or technical inquiries: Business inquiries: James De Pater Telephone: 613-614-9547 Email: James.DePater@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Technical inquiries: Lee Ellis, Research Officer Telephone: 902-426-2239 Email: Lee.Ellis@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca You can reach out to them for more information on how to proceed with your application.

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The grant applicant should be aware of some facility-specific advantages and contact points that may assist in the application process:

The zebrafish research facility offers significant cost advantages due to its ability to conduct research at just 0.1 to 1.0 percent of the cost of traditional rodent models.
Testing at the facility requires only small quantities of test compounds, which aids in the early identification of lead drug candidates and potential issues.
The facility has the expertise to offer customized disease models through techniques like transgenesis and genome modification.
The facility includes advanced capabilities like omics techniques, preclinical toxicity profiling, and high-throughput behavioural tracking, among others.
Potential applicants can contact business and technical inquiry points directly for more information: James De Pater for business inquiries and Lee Ellis for technical inquiries.

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NRC — Zebrafish research facility

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Enhancing Biomedical Innovation Through Zebrafish Research

This grant supports the state-of-the-art zebrafish research facility at the NRC, which aims to accelerate biomedical advancements by offering cost-effective, high-throughput in vivo testing models. The facility seeks to collaborate with industry partners to deliver exceptional biological insights and facilitate drug discovery while reducing traditional research costs significantly.

Leveraging Zebrafish Models for Cost-Effective Research and Development

The NRC zebrafish research facility is pioneering a revolution in preclinical research by utilizing the zebrafish model to cut costs and enhance the efficiency of in vivo assays. Zebrafish have emerged as invaluable tools in biomedical research due to the high genetic similarity to humans and their suitability for large-scale testing.

One of the most compelling benefits of utilizing zebrafish in research is the cost-effectiveness compared to rodent models. Zebrafish require only a fraction — as little as 0.1 to 1 per cent — of the resources needed for traditional vertebrate models, allowing for significant savings while maintaining high-quality data relevancy. This ability to model human diseases and screen pharmacological and toxicological profiles rapidly at reduced costs makes the NRC facility an attractive partner for industry.

The facility offers broad capabilities: from preclinical toxicity profiling to intricate mechanism of action studies. Researchers can utilize advanced techniques like omics analyses, which include genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to gain comprehensive insights into disease mechanisms and the effects of tested compounds. Furthermore, the facility’s pharmacological testing supports detailed exploration of drug actions and interactions, accelerating the path from discovery to application.

Advanced visualization and analytical techniques, such as high-throughput behavioral tracking and sophisticated microscopy, provide researchers with detailed phenotypic data, enhancing the understanding of compound effects in a biological context. Moreover, the NRC's zebrafish facility excels in providing customizations through transgenesis and genome modification, enabling the development of disease models that are crucial for identifying potential therapeutics.

Collaboration with the facility is designed to be seamless and supportive, fostering environments where industry partners can innovate with confidence. With access to state-of-the-art technology and expert guidance, partners are positioned to explore and validate novel compounds' safety and efficacy efficiently.

In summary, the NRC zebrafish facility is a valuable asset in the biomedical research landscape, offering a gateway to innovative solutions at a fraction of traditional costs. As businesses worldwide seek faster and more economical methods to test potential drug candidates, the zebrafish model represents a cutting-edge alternative that can potentially transform how research and development are conducted. By providing unparalleled research capabilities and fostering strategic partnerships, the facility not only catalyzes scientific discovery but also supports economic growth through innovative health solution development.