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UCSD Med Zebrafish Mold

3D Printed Molds for Zebrafish Embryo Microinjection

Sponsored by: Dr.Klemke & Dr.Wang of UCSD Moores Cancer Research Center

Executive Summary can be found HERE

Background

Zebrafish are very commonly used genomic research; they are easy to manage in large numbers, have large numbers of offspring, have similar genetic makeup to humans, and have characteristics (such as transparency as embryos) that allow researchers to perform non-invasive studies. At the Klemke Laboratory, their main objective is “to understand how human cancer develops and spreads through the body's circulation, and to use this information to design novel therapeutics to eradicate primary and secondary metastatic tumors.” In order to be able to study the spread of cancer cells in human anatomy, the Klemke laboratory utilizes zebrafish. They use microinjection techniques to insert the cancerous cells into zebrafish embryos. 

Objectives

To ensure uniformity and control in the research experiment, the zebrafish must all be injected in the same area; this is most easily achieved by orienting and holding all of them in the same position. However, this is rather difficult considering these are live organisms, and due to the fact that the embryo sizes range from a mere 1mm to 3mm in length. Therefore, the primary objective the Klemke Laboratory has requested is to create a device that can efficiently hold and orient these zebrafish embryos for the microinjection process. The secondary objective is to create a device to hold and orient the zebrafish embryos for the microimaging process. 

Final Design

The final design consisted of a transplantation mold that has raised cutouts in the shape of the embryos on the surface. The mold is then placed face down inside a petri dish filled with liquid agarose. The agarose then solidifies and takes the shape of the embryos. The mold is then removed leaving behind embryo shaped crevices in the agarose.

Design Testing