Zebrafish 3D model reproduced on computer as an experimental animal replacing zebrafish appeared

A small fish zebrafish is used for various research as a model experiment animal of vertebrates every year 20 million per year. However, the University of New York University Tandon Institute of Technology developed a mechanism to reproduce the movements of zebrafish in the 3D space of computer programs, as we can reduce the number of animals used in the experiment.

In-silico experiments of zebrafish behaviors: modeling swimming in three dimensions: Scientific Reports
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep39877


Swimming for Science | NYU Tandon School of Engineering
http://engineering.nyu.edu/press-releases/2017/01/12/swimming-science

The research group created the first zebrafish 2D model in 2015. Thereafter, in the stage of 2017 3D models reflecting the speed adjustment, interaction with the walls, differences in how to swim every individual and so on are appearing. With these improvements, it is possible to perform various animal experiments using "zebrafish model" in the computer.

Zebrafish (real thing) used as an experimental animal


Maurizio Porfiri, a member of the group, said that he is planning to conduct preclinical stage research on this zebrafish model. By the way, we think that there is a correlation in the research group about the size of the aquarium containing the zebrafish and the swimming speed. If you are verifying this with a real zebrafish, you will need a huge number of zebrafish, but in the case of a zebrafish model it is easy to increase the number if you only need the simulation calculation time is.


However, at the moment it is not said that Zebrafish 's movements are "completely reproduced", and he is preparing a more accurate model.

Mr. Porfiri says that using a zebrafish model can not replace all animal experiments, but may reduce the number of experiments using animals.