Facilities for research use of fish

描述(由申请人提供)： 水生动物是生命科学研究中极其重要的模式系统。几十年来，生理学和生物化学的研究一直依赖于水生动物，特别是鱼类，这项研究在理解基本生理过程和疾病过程方面取得了许多进展。这些成熟的模型系统仍然是德克萨斯大学休斯顿健康科学中心(UTHSC-H)研究人员研究工作的关键组成部分。最近基因技术的进步将斑马鱼模型系统带入了研究的前沿。这个强大的模型系统允许在脊椎动物中进行方便和经济的基因操作。UTHSC-H的几个研究项目正在利用这一模式系统，预计教师招聘工作将增加这一数字。为了支持建立已久的和即将建立的模型系统，UTHSC-H将在其新的动物护理设施中包括水生动物保有物。该项目旨在为目前正在建设中的动物护理中心配备两个房间。该项目的目标是：1.建立斑马鱼维护和转基因鱼开发的中心设施。2.集中安置和照料淡水鱼物种。第一个目标将大幅扩大目前的斑马鱼持有量，并建立一个转基因设施，供整个健康科学中心的研究人员使用。第二个项目将把养鱼从单独的实验室转移到动物护理中心，并扩大产能。两者都将改善对水生物种的护理和兽医监督。这些基础设施的改善将有助于加快与健康相关领域的研究和发现的步伐。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Aquatic animals are extremely important model systems for research in the life sciences. Decades of research in physiology and biochemistry have depended upon aquatic animals, particularly fish, and many advances in the understanding of fundamental physiological processes and disease processes have come from this research. These well-established model systems continue to be critical components of the research efforts of investigators at the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston (UTHSC-H).Recent advances in genetic technology have now brought the zebrafish model system to the forefront of research. This powerful model system allows for convenient and economical genetic manipulation in a vertebrate. Several research programs at the UTHSC-H are making use of this model system and faculty recruitment efforts are expected to increase this number. In order to provide support for both the long-established and up-coming model systems, the UTHSC-H will include aquatic animal holdings in its new animal care facility. This project is designed to outfit two rooms in the Animal Care Center, which is currently under construction. The goals of the project are: 1. To establish a central facility for zebrafish maintenance and the development of transgenic fish. 2. To centralize housing and care of freshwater fish species. The first goal will significantly expand current holdings of zebrafish and establish a transgenic facility that can be used by investigators throughout the Health Science Center. The second will shift fish holdings from individual laboratories to the Animal Care Center, and expand capacity. Both will result in improved care and veterinary oversight of aquatic species. These infrastructure improvements will help to accelerate the pace of research and discovery in the health-related fields.