SBIR Phase II: Environmental Neurotoxicity Using Zebrafish

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims at developing a large-scale quantitative assay procedure for the evaluation and detection of potential developmental neurotoxic environmental pollutants. The assay will use zebrafish as the model to investigate the presence of these potential pollutants and as such, will be a relatively simple, fast and cost effective method to evaluate and prioritize potential chemicals for subsequent testing. The ability to detect, evaluate and determine levels of potential developmental neurotoxic compounds in ground water and other industrial sites will provide for a more comprehensive understanding of potential hazards that industrial runoff may have. To date, very few chemicals that are being tested have been assayed for their potential neurotoxic effects. This assay will provide such a method for testing and will have an impact on environmental pollution and public health.