NRC — Zebrafish research facility

Who is eligible?

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.

Eligible expenses

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.

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

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.