Downstream Dreams: Investigating Melanoma in Zebrafish

Downstream Dreams: Investigating Melanoma in Zebrafish

Dahlia E. Perez, Jacqueline A. Lees

Koch Institute at MIT, MIT Department of Biology

Like a pebble dropped into a pond, a single genetic mutation can trigger a ripple of biological consequences, including cancer. The Lees Lab uses various model systems to track the progression of cancer from origin to disease.

Here, a close-up view of melanocytes in zebrafish gives insight into the organization of these cells in their normal state. Next, biologists will mutate a single gene, a known initiator of uveal melanoma, and study the cells throughout zebrafish development to determine the downstream effects of this single mutational event.

 

Video

Dahlia Perez shares the story and science behind her award-winning image. You can also watch the presentation from the exhibition opening event on March 23, 2017 here.