Zebra fish help cure blood cancer

Recent research results show that zebrafish may be the golden key to help scientists find the mystery of the gene that causes leukemia (leukemia) in humans.

The reason why zebrafish is chosen by the scientific community to study white blood disease genes is that they have 84% of the genes similar to humans. Not only that, this particular fish can reproduce quickly.

In particular, scientists can easily change the gene structure of zebrafish species to reproduce and mimic the growth of cancer cells in the human body.

84% of zebrafish genes coincide with humans.(Photo: Microtestlab).

They hope that just by mapping out the DNA of this fish, scientists can identify which genes cause a wide range of incurable diseases in humans. From these findings, researchers will find specific treatments for individual patients - including patients with leukemia.

A group of scientists from Auckland University (New Zealand) has been studying zebrafish fish for the purpose of finding a cure for cancer in the past two years. They used New Zealand's first genetic analyzer for these seahorses.

Professor Peter Browett said the genetic information of newly diagnosed blood cancer patients will be collected. In addition, mutated cells will be injected directly into the zebrafish to see if these fish have leukemia and whether there is any gene involved in the development of cancer. is not.

This project, if successful, is expected to contribute to the era of personalized treatment for patients with leukemia.