Fish in Biomedical Research (2407)

The headline doc.dr.sc. Tvrtko Smital, zn. advisor-permanent choice

Ruđer Boskovic Institute

the doc.dr.sc. Marta Popovich, senior zn. Associate

Learn the characteristics of fish that make them suitable for test organisms and understand the possibilities of biomedical research on fish.

The basics of anatomy and physiology of fish, and comparison with mammals.
Optimal conditions in which the fish live. The influence of physico-chemical water quality on growth and development , and the occurrence of diseases.
Ichthyopathology – review of viral, bacterial, parasitic diseases of fish and diseases of non-communicable etiology, contact zoonosis.
Types of fish used in different types of biomedical research on specific organs, tissues, systems that are similar or different in function with respect to mammals.
The use of fish cell cultures in biomedical research.
Keeping fish in laboratory conditions and preparing them for biomedical research. The dissent of fish and ways of taking samples.

1. Analyze the anatomy and physiology of fish and differences in relation to mammals based on literature in the field of ichthyology.
2. To determine the impact of environmental factors on fish growth and development.
3. Review the basics of humane treatment of fish in the controlled fish keeping system and when taking tissue samples for different types of research.
4. Propose the possibilities of using zebrafish as a model fish in different types of research (biomedical, pharmacological, genetic, etc.).
5. To anticipate possible problems and situations in a working environment in which the acquired knowledge and skills and the possibility of selecting and using relevant literature sources and scientific data are offered as a solution.

regular attendance of lectures and exercises, and activity in teaching

1. Nemetz T.G., Shoots E.B. Jr. (1993): Zoonotic Diseases. In: Fish medicine. (M.K. Stoskpf ed.) WB Saunders Company. Philadelphia, pp. 214-220.
2. Stoskopf M.K. (1993): Neoplasia of Freshwater Temperate Fishes. In: Fish medicine. (M.K. Stoskpf ed.) WB Saunders Company. Philadelphia, pp. 309-311.
3. Treer T. Safner R., Aničić I., Lovrinov M. (1995): Fisheries. Globus Publishing Institute, Zagreb.
4. Branson E. (1993): Basic Anatomy and Physiology. In: Aquaculture for veterinarians: fish husbandry and medicine (L. Brown ed.) Pergamon Press Ltd., England, pp 1-31.
5. Branson E. (1993): Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture. In: Aquaculture for veterinarians: fish husbandry and medicine (L. Brown ed.) Pergamon Press Ltd., England, pp 57-89.
6. Southgate P. (1993): Disease in Aquaculture. In: Aquaculture for veterinarians: fish husbandry and medicine (L. Brown ed.) Pergamon Press Ltd., England. pp 91-129.
7. Walter R.B. and Kazianis S. (2001): Xiphophorus Interspecies Hybrids as Genetic Models of Induced Neoplasia http://dels.nationalacademies.org/ilar/jour_online/42_4/Hybrids.asp
8. Winn R.N. (2001): Transgenic Fish as Models in Environmental Toxicology
http://dels.nationalacademies.org/ilar/jour_online/42_4/Transg.asp
9. Bruno D.W. and Poppe T.T. (1996): Tumours. In: A Colour Atlas of Salmonid diseases. (Bruno D.W. and Poppe T.T. eds.), Academic Press London,.pp 105-110.
10. Roberts R.J. (ed.) (1989): Neoplasia of teleosts. In: Fish Pathology (2nd ed.), Bailliere Tindall, London, pp 153-172.

Christian Lawrence and Timothy Mason (2012): Zebrafish housing systems: a review of basic operating principles and considerations for design and funcionality, ILAR 53(2), 179-191
Guidance on the housing and care of Zebrafish Danio rerio, Barney Reed & Maggy Jennings , published 2011,
Zebrafish Methods for Assessing Drug, Safety and Toxicity, Edited by Patricia McGrath Phylonix, Cambridge, MA, USA,Copyright 2012 by John Wiley & Sons,

• Check your understanding of the information received, how to present it
• Track each student's progress
• Discussion with students and colleagues
The success of the course will be evaluated annually by the joint expert committee of the Ruđer Boskovic Institute, the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek based on exam success and surveys.