Improving Husbandry and Data Reproducibility Through Automated Health Monitoring in Zebrafish Facilities

ABSTRACT / SUMMARYThe zebrafish is an invaluable tool for developing and screening human therapeutics and modeling human diseases. This animal model is strikingly genetically similar to humans, sharing 70% of all human genes (by comparison, mice have orthologs of ~80% of human genes), and 82-90% of human disease-associated genes.Currently, however, zebrafish facilities lack an affordable, precise way to monitor and track the health of their fish stock in an automated way, and to correlate fish health with extrinsic factors that may affect it. As a result, research using unhealthy fish may lead to irreproducibility in research and spurious conclusions, ultimately wasting time, money, and scientific effort. We propose the creation of a zebrafish health monitoring system, “FishCam,” which has the potential to automate wellness checks and track them along with environmental data (e.g., water quality) and, thus, revolutionize fish husbandry in aquaculture and zebrafish laboratories. In Phase 1 Aim 1, we will build a system that reliably captures images and video of a zebrafish population. In Phase 1 Aim 2, we will develop software algorithms that extract parameters such as how many fish are in each tank, their size and their activity levels over the previous 48 hours. In Phase 2 Aim 1, we will extend the FishCam imaging and analysis system to be compatible with commercial zebrafish rack and tank systems (“FishCam Smart Rack”). Finally, in Phase 2 Aim 2, we will perform beta testing of the FishCam Smart Rack system, optimizing it for real-world installations at external sites in the United States.Achievement of these aims will produce an automated, standardized system for zebrafish health monitoring which will reduce variability and help ensure scientific validity of zebrafish research. By advancing zebrafish husbandry, the proposed project aims to facilitate greater insights into human diseases and streamline the development of human therapeutics.