Publications by authors named "C A Lessman"
Transparent Casper zebrafish allow studies of vertebrate sexual maturation and gonad development in vivo. Casper gonad dynamics can be observed longitudinally over time and non-invasively. Gonad maturation and reproduction are complex processes subject to disruption by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as diethylstilbestrol (DES).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Zebrafish, particularly the Casper double mutant, provide a unique opportunity for direct observation of reproductive processes due to their transparency, allowing researchers to study gametogenesis and gonad status in vivo.
- The reproductive process in zebrafish is influenced by multiple factors, including environmental conditions and the crucial regulatory role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA), which affects embryo production.
- The study examines the impact of the endocrine-disrupting chemical diethylstilbestrol (DES) on zebrafish reproduction, showing that changes in gonad status correlate with alterations in secondary sex characteristics and overall reproductive output.
High-throughput screens (HTS) of compound toxicity against cancer cells can identify thousands of potential new drug-leads. But only limited numbers of these compounds can progress to expensive and labor-intensive efficacy studies in mice, creating a 'bottle neck' in the drug development pipeline. Approaches that triage drug-leads for further study are greatly needed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEver since Edouard Van Beneden and Theodor Boveri first formally described the centrosome in the late 1800s, it has captivated cell biologists. The name clearly indicated its central importance to cell functioning, even to these early investigators. We now know of its role as a major microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) and of its dynamic roles in cell division, vesicle trafficking and for its relative, the basal body, ciliogenesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe developing zebrafish (Danio rerio): a vertebrate model for high-throughput screening of chemical libraries.
Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today
September 2011
Article Synopsis
- The zebrafish is a small, tropical freshwater fish that has gained recognition as a model organism in scientific research due to its genetic advantages and rapid developmental timeline.
- It is often referred to as the "vertebrate Drosophila" because of its ease of manipulation and low costs associated with its use in experiments.
- Recent developments in high-throughput screening (HTS) techniques enable researchers to discover new therapeutics by analyzing the effects of drugs on zebrafish, allowing for comprehensive observations of whole-body and organ-specific responses.