Zebrafish: a big fish in the study of the gut microbiota.

TitleZebrafish: a big fish in the study of the gut microbiota.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsCornuault JK, Byatt G, Paquet M-E, De Koninck P, Moineau S
JournalCurr Opin Biotechnol
Volume73
Pagination308-313
Date Published2022 02
ISSN1879-0429
KeywordsAnimals, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Larva, Models, Animal, Zebrafish
Abstract

The importance of the gut microbiota in host health is now well established, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Among the animal models used to investigate microbiota-host interactions, the zebrafish (Danio renio) is gaining attention. Several factors contribute to the recent interest in this model, including its low cost, the ability to assess large cohorts, the possibility to obtain germ-free larvae from non-axenic parents, and the availability of optical methodologies to probe the transparent larvae and adults from various genetic lines. We review recent findings on the zebrafish gut microbiota and its modulation by exogenous microbes, nutrition, and environmental factors. We also highlight the potential of this model for assessing the impact of the gut microbiota on brain development.

DOI10.1016/j.copbio.2021.09.007
Alternate JournalCurr Opin Biotechnol
PubMed ID34653834

Funding

Our research endeavors are made possible by the following agencies:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT)Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec   Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) - Conseil de recherche en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG)innovation.caHuman Frontier Science ProgramCanada First Research Excellence FundSentinelle Nord