A newly renovated zebra fish facility and a state-of-the-art insect laboratory officially opened at the Stevenson Center during a celebration with tours attended by Interim Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos, Dean Richard McCarty of the College of Arts and Science, professors, researchers and students.

Vanderbilt researchers at the insectary are participating with an international team from the Netherlands, Tanzania and Gambia working to map a specialized sensory organ on mosquitoes that carry malaria. The findings will allow the researchers to go further and search for additional chemicals that either attract or repel these highly selective insects. Developing new and improved repellants and attractants could be used to reduce the threat of malaria, generally considered the most prevalent life-threatening disease in the world.

Research at the newly refurbished zebra fish facility includes studying early development in embryos, made easier because the zebra fish lay eggs that are transparent, allowing researchers to see processes live. The findings may shed new light on human development, particularly the initial stages when 25-50 percent of pregnancies end in early miscarriages of unknown genetic origin.

“Investments in state-of-the-art facilities like these are really investments in extraordinary scientists who are making important breakthroughs in health, medicine, and other areas,” Zeppos said on Friday.

Contact: Missy Pankake, (615) 322-NEWS
                melissa.r.pankake@vanderbilt.edu