Work

Zebrafishology, study design guidelines for rigorous and reproducible data using zebrafish

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the most widely used research model organisms funded by the United States’ National Institutes of Health, second only to the mouse. Here, we discuss the advantages and unique qualities of this model organism. Additionally, we discuss key aspects of experimental design and statistical approaches that apply to studies using the zebrafish model organism. Finally, we list critical details that should be considered in the design of zebrafish experiments to enhance rigor and data reproducibility. These guidelines are designed to aid new researchers, journal editors, and manuscript reviewers in supporting the publication of the highest-quality zebrafish research. A review emphasizes the advantages of using zebrafish in research, outlines key differences in experimental approaches, and offers guidelines for designing studies in a way that enhances experimental rigor and reproducibility.

Source: Communications Biology

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-07496-z

Authors: Victoria M. Bedell, Priya Dubey, Han B. Lee, Dondra S. Bailey, Jennifer L. Anderson, Allison Jamieson-Lucy, Rui Xiao, Elvin V. Leonard, Marni J. Falk, Michael A. Pack, Mary Mullins, Steven A. Farber, Roderic G. Eckenhoff, Stephen C. Ekker

Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, Mayo Clinic, Coppin State University, Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Embryology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,190

Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Awards: G1017624616, G1411480798, G1590547780, G2207938365, Research Initiation Award:Transcriptome Analysis of Microtubule Actin Crosslinking Factor 1 (MACF1) Stage-Specific oocytes in Zebrafish, Oocyte polarity and BMP-mediated dorsoventral patterning, G3629037223, G484325135, G5562881783, G5598036187, Physician Postdoctoral Research Training in Perioperative Medicine (PPRTPM), Development of tools for site-directed analysis of gene function, G726926497, Integrative mechanisms of organelle dynamics from the atomic-to-cellular level, G8447252663, Pharmacologic Treatment of Mitochondrial Complex I Dysfunction in C. Elegans, G9000021406, G9000067792, G9000213919, G9000228868, Systematic Vertebrate Functional Genomics, Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Mitochondrial respiratory chain disease mechanistic and therapeutic modeling

OpenAlex ID: W4410313072

FWCI: 3.71

Cites: 115

Cited by: 31

Related to: 10