We’d like to introduce you to the Turquoise Splendid Cichlid (Nothobranchius furzeri). This fishlivesin seasonally drying ponds in southeastern Africa, where rainfall is rare and unpredictable. The fish has adapted perfectly to this unique habitat. For example, the fertilized eggs are surrounded by a tough shell to protect them from drying out and help them survive prolonged dry spells.
As soon as the dried-up pools are filled with water again, the fish hatch, reach sexual maturity within a few weeks, and mate. The fish ages very quickly, as its natural lifespan is only a few months—almost like fast-forwarded aging, with the typical signs of aging similar to those in humans.
This short lifespan makes the fish a promising model organism in aging research and helps us study and understand the aging process.
In addition, we conduct research on zebrafish (Danio rerio), which originate from Asia. In this species, embryonic development within the egg takes place entirely outside the mother fish. Since the fish remains transparent until it is fully developed, it provides insights into organ development. Under the microscope, the formation of the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels can be observed particularly well. Since 70 percent of the zebrafish’s genes are found in a similar form in humans, it is a valuable model organism for science, including research into the development of diseases.
