Starting a Shoal: First Delhi/NCR Zebrafish Researchers Meeting.

Abstract

The first Delhi/NCR Zebrafish Researchers Meeting, held at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) on August 22, 2024, marked a significant step toward initiating collaboration and knowledge exchange among scientists utilizing zebrafish as a model system. This gathering brought together Delhi/NCR region-specific researchers from diverse fields, including developmental biology, toxicology, regeneration, neurobiology, behavior, and disease modeling, to establish a platform for interdisciplinary interaction and scientific advancement. The event featured short talks by principal investigators (PIs), each highlighting their lab's research and the role of zebrafish in their work. Additionally, a student poster session enriched discussions by showcasing cutting-edge applications of zebrafish in fundamental and translational research. The meeting facilitated in-depth conversations on the genetic and molecular manipulability of zebrafish, emphasizing their potential to address complex biological questions. This initiative laid the foundation for a periodic networking event, with participating PIs taking turns as hosts. By uniting experts from various disciplines, the meeting reinforced the importance of collaborative research and innovative approaches, paving the way for expanding zebrafish applications and strengthening the research ecosystem in India.