Compound fixed stage microscope for zebrafish transplants

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Each cell of multicellular organism contains the full complement of genes of that organism. Yet, it only uses a small subset of these genes. Our research goal is to determine which genes are important for that cell's function. This will help us to understand how the individual cells of a multicellular organism communicate to work in a coordinated fashion. Our current reserch focus is on determining gene function in the nervous system, which requires intricate wiring of circuits between the brain and muscles. We are studying zebrafish embryos to learn how molecules regulate cell identity, thereby affecting the ability of cells to communicate with their neighbors. We have identified a large number of genetic mutants, but it is unclear which cells require the function of these genes. To determine this, we will mix mutant and normal cells and ask where the mutant cells can function. To do this, we request funds to purchase a microscope that can transplant small numbers of cells between two developing embryos. In this post-genome era of biomedical science, this is a key tool to determining in which cells genes actually function.