DanFreez: Zebrafish Genetically-Optimized for Cryogenic Storage of Embryos

Summary: Unlike C. elegans and mice, methods for cold storage of zebrafish lines are lacking in the marketplace. We propose the use of environmental and gene c factors to enable cold storage of viable embryos at frozen or near freezing condi ons. In Aim 1 we will explore the use of transient protein expression to produce proteins associated with anhydrobio c status. In Aim 2 we explore the induc on of genes involved in diapause in killifish as a mechanism to promote cold-storage survival. In Aim 3, we will look at combina ons of gene c and environmental factors that promote reanima on of zebrafish embryos from cold storage. Achievement of any one of these aims that result in high viability yields from cold storage can then be developed in Phase II as a gene cally integrated line, which can then be broadly commercialized as a product or service to aid researchers in their biobanking efforts with their zebrafish lines.