Zebrafish Research Excellence
The University of Oregon's Aquatic Animal Care Services (AqACS) partners with industry to conduct high-quality zebrafish research. Zebrafish share 85% genetic similarity with humans, making them a powerful model for studying disease, drug safety, and therapeutic targets. Our world-class facilities and expertise enable rapid, cost-effective studies that accelerate drug development and regulatory approval.
Why Industry Leaders Choose UO Zebrafish Research
Unmatched Research Infrastructure
Access 80,000 zebrafish across specialized facilities, supported by world-class expertise in husbandry, genetics, and disease modeling. Our proven systems enable rapid, cost-effective studies that bridge the gap between cell-based research and clinical applications.
Global Resource Network
UO is home to both the Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) and the Zebrafish Information Network (ZFIN). Together, these programs serve as central hubs for zebrafish strains, genetic tools, and research protocols used by thousands of researchers worldwide—giving partners direct access to widely adopted standards and resources.
Industry-Leading Quality Standards
Our specialized pathogen-free zebrafish facilities follow rigorous standards for genetic consistency and health monitoring. These controlled environments enable precise experimental reproducibility essential for pharmaceutical development and regulatory submissions.
Research Services
- Drug discovery and development: Compound screening, toxicity assessment, mechanism of action studies, and therapeutic target validation
- Regulatory and safety testing: Chemical safety evaluation, environmental impact assessment, and compliance studies for FDA and EPA submissions
- Disease modeling and therapeutics: Human disease models, genetic validation, and regenerative medicine applications
UO Facility Advantages
- Scale and capacity: 80,000 zebrafish across specialized research facilities with dedicated expert staff
- Global infrastructure: Home to ZIRC and ZFIN, which serve thousands of researchers globally
- Advanced equipment: State-of-the-art imaging technologies and controlled environment systems for precise experimental control
- Integrated support: Seamless access to UO's comprehensive research ecosystem including materials characterization and computational resources
- Partnership experience: Established protocols for industry collaboration with flexible engagement models
Recognized Innovation Hub
UO leads zebrafish research advancement with active industry partnerships and successful startups serving pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. We drive innovation from discovery through commercialization.
Ready to harness zebrafish for your next breakthrough?
Our partnership team can connect you with our world-leading zebrafish researchers and facilities, designing collaborative programs that accelerate your research timeline and maximize discovery potential. Some strains are available directly on ZIRC’s website.