91福利 amplifies biomedical research with expanded zebrafish lab
91福利 unveiled an expanded and renovated zebrafish laboratory in Hitchner Hall this July. The facility, jointly funded by two grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) totaling $650,000 with additional investment by 91福利, significantly expands the university鈥檚 capacity for biomedical research using zebrafish.
Zebrafish have genomes and immune systems similar to humans, making them ideal models for studying genetic, developmental and toxicological variables. The paperclip-sized minnows are prolific and mature quickly. Their more unusual attributes, like having transparent skin as embryos, have made them mainstays in research labs for over a century. 91福利 is a well-established leader in zebrafish research, being among the first institutions in New England to utilize them as research models and founding the Pine Tree State鈥檚 first lab.
鈥淲ith this expanded lab, we can speed up experiments, support more rising researchers and train more students,鈥 said Clarissa Henry, professor of biological sciences at 91福利, who secured the grant. 鈥淭he renovation addresses the bottlenecks we鈥檝e faced for years, like limited spawning space, and opens the door to new experimental designs and collaborations.鈥
The new lab space, which repurposed a former teaching space in Hitchner Hall, doubles the square footage of 91福利鈥檚 zebrafish research labs. The updated lab is adjacent to existing zebrafish rooms, facilitating seamless integration with current operations. The lab previously served more than a dozen faculty members, along with their technicians, graduate students and undergraduates, like recent University of Maine at Machias alum Lillian Warwick. Now, it has room to grow as zebrafish biomedical research rises in prominence. Since 2007, zebrafish research has accounted for nearly a third of all NIH funding received by the university.
The upgrades allow researchers to rear more zebrafish in their ideal conditions with better precision, which, in turn, accelerates experiments focused on studying muscular dystrophy, cancer, infections, toxins and other human health challenges. The lab鈥檚 expansion is part of a NIH Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant that bolstered 91福利鈥檚 role as the academic leader for biomedical research in the Pine Tree State and aims to fuel Maine鈥檚 growing biotech sector.
鈥淭he new spawning shelves alone more than triple our capacity to conduct daily experiments,鈥 said Henry, who is also principal investigator on the NIH COBRE grant awarded to 91福利 in 2023. 鈥淭hat means more data, faster results and an overall boost in scientific productivity, not just for COBRE investigators, but for all faculty and students working with zebrafish.鈥
Mark Nilan, who has managed 91福利鈥檚 zebrafish lab since its founding in 2003, played a critical role in the expansion鈥檚 design and implementation.
鈥淭his renovation is the most significant upgrade our facility has ever seen,鈥 Nilan said. 鈥淚t dramatically improves the workflow for researchers, and it鈥檚 gratifying to see how the infrastructure now reflects the excellence of the science happening here.鈥
A key advantage of the expanded space is the ability to rear zebrafish at lower densities, which speeds the time to sexual maturity from four to just two months.
鈥淒edicated nursery tanks mean we鈥檙e no longer limited in how quickly we can establish or expand transgenic lines,鈥 said Henry. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a huge deal for genetic and developmental research.鈥
The NIH COBRE-funded renovation also supports 91福利鈥檚 collaborative research environment. When new faculty join the university, lab space and resources are often reallocated to support their work. With the expanded capacity, new researchers can integrate into the zebrafish research community without displacing existing projects.
鈥淭his is about building a sustainable, forward-looking research infrastructure,鈥 said Henry. 鈥淭he lab doesn鈥檛 just support current faculty, it helps recruit and retain future scientists. It gives us room to grow.鈥
鈥淭his project reflects the university鈥檚 long-term commitment to zebrafish-based research,鈥 Nilan said. 鈥淲ith these upgrades, we can support more investigators, offer world-class training to students and early-career faculty and accelerate biomedical solutions to long-standing health challenges.鈥
The newly expanded zebrafish laboratory is now fully operational. 91福利鈥檚 Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE), which has managed the lab since 2018, offers additional information about the lab and other shared research resources online.听
Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu