The Documentary:
  • Director/Executive Producer: Jennifer A. Manner.
  • Developed to educate scientific and medical communities, policy makers, and the general public about Zebrafish research model benefits.
  • Premiered at The National Press Club the evening of January 9, 2018 and online simultaneously at zebrafishfilm.org.
  • Eight film festival awards, including Best Documentary at Top Shorts; 25 festival nominations.
 
Zebrafish:
  • Share 70% of human genes.
  • Has gene counterpart to 84% of human genetic disease.
  • Is a vertebrate, just like people.
  • Has immune system, just like people.
  • Has most human organ systems.
  • Is exceptionally well-suited to drug development.
  • Has easy-to-study, transparent embryos (no need to dissect).
  • Inexpensive, easy to care for, costs less than 1/1000th of mouse model.
  • Breed quickly, facilitating essential multigenerational research.
 
Zebrafish Research:
  • Game changer for drug discovery and development.
  • Currently encompasses many diseases including, but not limited to:
    • Cancer
    • Diabetes
    • Addiction
    • Alzheimer’s
    • Heart disease
    • Parkinson’s
    • Epilepsy
    • Autism
    • Rare genetic diseases like Prader-Willi Syndrome
    • Environmental toxin effects on human neurological development
  • Has yielded:
    • Discovery of previously-unknown genes involved in rare forms of muscular dystrophy.
    • New understandings of pathways involved in human embryo development and heart physiology.
    • Drugs being tested as future cancer therapies.
    • Real-time data to inform cancer therapy selection for individual treatments.
  • Centers conducting research and development include:
    • Georgetown University Medical Center, Harvard University Medical Center, National Institutes of Health, University of Utah, University of Oregon.
    • NASA’s International Space Station (yes, there are alive and happy Zebrafish in outer space, helping us understand the effects of gravity on muscle mass).
    • Elementary, middle, and high schools around the country.

If you would like to make a donation, please go to zebrafishfilm.org.