Start and Fin

Zebrafish are a trusty model organism for developmental biologists looking to draw parallels with humans. They share many of our genes but they’re also transparent, making their delicate early stages easier to examine. Pictured under a high-powered microscope, this developing tail fin hosts early nerve cells (neurons, green) shaping part of the fish’s peripheral nervous system. Cells and chemicals in the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM, purple) are likely to help – research shows a role for the ECM in guiding neurons into place and encouraging growth. Here, some parts of the ECM have been genetically modified to show researchers where their fluorescent forms settle. Studying the interaction with peripheral nerves may shed new light on the morphogenesis, or pattern forming that takes place in early development, in fish and humans alike.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image by Dr. Daniel Wehner & Julia Kolb – 17th Place in Nikon Small World 2022 Photomicrography Competition
• Regeneration Group, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light Department of Biological Optomechanics Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
• Image copyright held by Dr. Daniel Wehner & Julia Kolb