Zebrafish

Zebrafish is recognized as an ideal model organism for investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying heart formation and regeneration. Zebrafish has a closed cardiovascular system and a cardiac cycle that is highly reminiscent of human cardiovascular physiology. Zebrafish can be genetically manipulated, and their genome has been fully sequenced. Genetic studies in zebrafish have discovered novel genes and pathways in cardiovascular development and function, with close correlation with cardiovascular diseases. Zebrafish heart regeneration occurs following injury through the dedifferentiation and proliferation of mature cardiomyocytes. Embryo-based small-molecule screens have discovered chemical probes and drug candidates for enhancing cardiovascular development, function, and regeneration.