Formation and function of lymphatic vascular network – a drug screen approach

AIM

Our lab has built new transgenic lines labelling the lymphatic vascular network. These lines are an excellent tool to perform a mini drug screen to uncover compounds that interfere with the transgene expression and lymphatic vessel formation.

BACKGROUND

In the last 20 years, zebrafish has been established as a model for chemical screenings of drugs and biologically active compounds. The advantage of this model over cell-culture screens is the possibility of testing organism-wide effects and interactions involving complex tissues and organs. Zebrafish chemical screens are today used in a wide range of fields, from pharmacology to cancer treatment.

PROJECT PLAN

In this project, you will test a library of chemical compounds on zebrafish embryos. Depending on the length of the project, you will perform the pre-screening for toxicity and chemical screens for a number of these compounds. You will acquire competences in zebrafish handling, chemical screen methodology and confocal microscopy.

The project can be adapted to fit as either an short independent project or a master thesis, according to your preference.

CONTACT DETAILS

Name: Kaska Koltowska
Group: Vascular Biology
Email: kaska.koltowska@igp.uu.se
Phone number: 0729999512