A*STAR scientists have discovered genes in this tropical
freshwater fish which may be synonymous with the genes for developing hair-like
structures in the human airway
A small freshwater fish found in many tropical aquariums may
hold the key to unlocking one of the leading causes of respiratory diseases in
humans.
Scientists from A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
(IMCB) have identified hundreds of novel genes in the zebrafish that could be
functionally identical to the human genes required for forming motile cilia,
hair-like structures on the surface of airway cells. These are required for
removing dust and pathogens from the human airway. The study showed that the
loss of these genes is linked to development of defective motile cilia, which
could be the cause of some respiratory diseases.