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24 December 2018 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Anja Aucamp
Research possibilities of zebrafish exposed
Leading global genetics laboratories are replacing research on human and animal populations with zebrafish, says Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the UFS Department of Genetics.

The UFS Department of Genetics is on par with current research trends in terms of their zebrafish project. About a year has passed since they seriously started focusing on the potential of this tiny four-centimetre-long fish, and the possibilities are hugely exciting.

Looks are deceiving

Leading global genetics laboratories are replacing research on human and animal populations with zebrafish due to several fascinating reasons, of which the most profound is probably that the zebrafish share large portions of its genome with mammals. For genetics researchers this may make a lot of sense, but most people battle to see any resemblance between a six-foot-tall rugby player or 600 kg buffalo and a small, nearly transparent fish. It is in the detail, the researchers say.

Fast, effective, and visible

“The complete genome sequence of the zebrafish is known, and as much as 84% of genes known to be associated with human disease have zebrafish counterparts,” explains Head of Department, Prof Paul Grobler. Another advantage is the fast breeding rate and short generation time, and the fact that some research is ethically more justifiable when done on fish larvae rather than on adult mammals. The fact that zebrafish embryos are virtually transparent, also allow researchers to examine the development of internal structures without effort. Every blood vessel in a living zebrafish embryo is visible under a low-power microscope.

Multidisciplinary

Zebrafish provide research potential for many different study fields besides that of Prof Grobler and his team, Sue Rica Schneider and Dr Willem Coetzer. In the near future, they aim to have undergraduate students use zebrafish as a research model to develop a real sense of research and laboratory work. The Department of Chemistry are also initiating research on zebrafish housed in the Department of Genetics.

News Archive

Wayde the next big star, says Michael Johnson
2016-08-15

Description: Wayde with record Tags: Wayde with record

Wayde van Niekerk won South Africa’s first gold medal
at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Photos: Gallo Images

"Usain Bolt will be retiring soon, this could be the next star." That is how the legendary Michael Johnson explained the feat by the Kovsie athlete Wayde van Niekerk. Van Niekerk broke Johnson’s 17-year old world record in the 400m when he won gold in 43.03 at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night (Monday morning, SA time). It was also South Africa’s first track gold medal in 96 years.

Johnson, whose record was beaten by 0.15, described the way in which the 24-year-old South African outperformed the 400m field as ‘a massacre’. The American won two Olympic 400m titles.

"The UFS congratulates Wayde and his youthful coach, our own Tannie Ans.”


"Van Niekerk is so young, what else can he do? Can he go under 43 seconds? It is something I thought I could do, but never did,” Johnson said on www.bbc.com. Van Niekerk thanked Johnson in a BBC Sport interview for setting an example. “I just went out there and did my best tonight,” the BA Marketing student from the University of the Free State (UFS) said.

Greatest UFS achievement in 114 years – Prof Jansen

“This is by far the greatest achievement of any UFS student in 114 years,” said Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS. “And that he broke one of the world’s toughest athletic records with his trademark grace and humility, makes him a role model to millions of South African youth.

“The UFS congratulates Wayde and his youthful coach, our own Tannie Ans.”

The 74-year-old Botha has been coaching Van Niekerk since 2012.  “She's an amazing woman," Van Niekerk said to www.sport24.co.za about her. “I'm just grateful that I can trust in her work and I think it speaks for itself.”

 

"Van Niekerk is so young, what else
can he do? Can he go under
43 seconds?”

Bolt and Twitter full of praise for South African inspiration

Bolt, who won his third consecutive 100m crown in Rio, interrupted his own media interviews at the Olympic stadium to congratulate Van Niekerk.

Twitter also erupted as many praised the UFS star. Gary Player, who is the manager of the SA golf team at the Olympics, tweeted:  “What a run! What a man! Congrats @WaydeDreamer #proudlySA #GOLDMEDAL #RSA”.

AB de Villiers, the South African One Day International cricket captain, also congratulated him: “What a special feeling waking up to the news of @WaydeDreamer winning the 400m and breaking the world record. Great inspiration to so many!”

 

Description: Wayde running Tags: Wayde running

More articles:
Wayde van Niekerk makes sprinting history
UFS community proud of Wayde’s hat trick of awards
Wayde nominated with SA’s best
Wayde one of the Adidas faces for Rio 2016
NBC tells Wayde’s story
Wayde, Karla crowned as KovsieSport’s best
UFS congratulates Wayde van Niekerk and other students for their national and international
Kovsies Wayde van Niekerk wins gold at the IAAF World Championship



 

 

 

 

 

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