Zebrafish as an Emerging Model System in the Global South: Two Decades of Research in Brazil

Abstract

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an emerging model system in several research areas worldwide, especially in the Global South. In this context, the present study revised the historical use and trends of zebrafish as experimental models in Brazil. The data concerning the bibliometric parameters, research areas, geographic distribution, experimental design, zebrafish strain, and reporter lines, as well as recent advances were revised. In addition, the comparative trends of Brazilian and global research were discussed. Revised data showed the rapid growth of Brazilian scientific production using zebrafish as a model, especially in three main research areas (Neuroscience &and Behavior, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Environment/Ecology). Studies were conducted in 19 Brazilian states (70.37%), confirming the wide geographic distribution and importance of zebrafish research. Results indicated that research related to toxicological approaches are widespread in Global South countries such as Brazil. Studies were performed mainly using in vivo tests (89.58%) with adult fish (59.75%) and embryos (30.67%). Moreover, significant research gaps and recommendations for future research are presented. The present study shows that the zebrafish is a suitable vertebrate model system in the Global South.

The 100 Most Cited Articles in Zebrafish: a Bibliometric Perspective

“…This was followed by "Danio rerio", "blastula", "cleavage", "embryogenesis", "mesoderm", "notochord", and "somitogenesis". Both "zebrafish" and "Danio rerio" were earlier listed as the most frequent keywords (Kinth et al, 2013;Trigueiro et al, 2020). Other top keywords were related to the development, and it is expected that the most frequent keywords will evolve with time as already observed in the top journals.…”

Model Organisms and Systems in Life Sciences

“…After it was first used in research in the 1980s, it has become one of the most popular model organisms with the advantage of its widespread use. Zebrafish has become a very attractive model for biomedical studies due to its high reproduction rate, transparent embryos that develop ex-utero, and easy maintenance 48 . An average of 70% of human genes have at least one zebrafish ortholog.…”

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) meets bioethics: the 10Rs ethical principles in research

“…Zebrafish is also a preclinical screening model used in vivo for personalized medicine (15) and nanomedicine (10) . Interestingly, it is an emerging suitable vertebrate model system in the Global South (16) , since it accounts for decentralizing scientific publications. There are several advantages in using zebrafish as model system, such as transparent embryos, high reproduction and fertilization rate, rapid development, short life cycle, small size, low-cost and easy maintenance under laboratory conditions, sequenced genome, genetic similarity to humans, complex behaviour (17,18) , as well as mutant strains, transgenic reporters and knockdown (19) .…”