BACKGROUND:  Although mammals have been cloned from genetically manipulated cultured cells, there is still a need for lower vertebrates to be used. Since zebrafish are important lower vertebrates to use for the study of vertebrate development, cloned zebrafish may offer an alternative to embryonic stem cells. Zebrafish cell cultures exhibit some characteristics of embryonic stem cells and are easier to use in research involving genetic manipulation. However, only short-term cell cultures of zebrafish exist for the study of vertebrate development.

INNOVATION:  UCLA researchers have demonstrated the successful cloning of fertile zebrafish from long-term-cultured cells. Transgenic zebrafish are obtained by nuclear transfer using embryonic fibroblast cells from long-term cultures. These transgenic zebrafish will allow the research community to work on targeted genetic manipulation in zebrafish.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:  Clone fertile zebrafish from long-term cell cultures to allow for targeted genetic manipulation

ADVANTAGES:  Long-term-cultured cells to provide adequate time for use in targeted genetic manipulation

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  Inventors have successfully developed and tested the cloning procedure for transgenic zebrafish from long-term-cultured cells.

Related Papers (Selected)

• Lee K, Huang H, Ju B, Yang Z, Lin S. "Cloned zebrafish by nuclear transfer from long-term-cultured cells". Nature Biotechnology. 20, 795-799 (2002). [more]

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2002-491

US Patent: 7,332,647