3D platform can replace lab animals
Every year, approximately 20 million animals are used in scientific research – with zebrafish ranking as a favourite in labs.
Zebrafish eclipse rodents and primates as a favoured species in biomedical research because of their genetic similarity to humans.
However, concerns about the number of animals used in experiments have led researchers to explore alternative, computer-based methodologies.
A team of researchers has successfully developed the first data-driven modeling framework capable of simulating zebrafish swimming in three dimensions.
It is rooted in real-life data and robust enough to potentially replace animals in some types of research – particularly neurobehavioural studies.
Drawing analogies from the field of financial engineering, the researchers have made progress in modeling the behaviour of zebrafish from a 2D model first developed in 2015.
The 3D model also features variables such as speed modulation, wall interaction, and the burst-and-coast swimming style of zebrafish.
These improvements allow for simulation-based experiments on zebrafish behaviour that would otherwise require animal subjects.
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