In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight dives into the fascinating world of zebrafish research with Mark Nilan, who manages the University of Maine’s animal care facility, and student lab assistant Megan Joynt. They chat about why zebrafish are such great research models, from their genetic similarities to humans and transparent embryos to their rapid development, and introduce the special “Abby” line used for its controlled genetics. They also share details about current projects looking at Candida infections, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and the flu virus, and Megan talks about her capstone project studying fish fecundity at different ages.

The conversation touches on the zebrafish lab’s move to a new state-of-the-art facility with better climate control, which will boost research quality and create more opportunities for collaboration and grants. Mark and Megan reflect on their own unexpected but rewarding paths into aquaculture and research, offering insight into the many career options in marine science. They also discuss how animal research is strictly regulated, the lab’s commitment to transparency through public tours, and broader topics like zebrafish in regenerative medicine and GMOs in agriculture and aquaculture. It’s a great listen about how a tiny fish is making a big impact on science, health, and education at UMaine.

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