12.11.2009
Search for a Cure
More than one hundred years ago, Alois Alzheimer described for the first time the disease that now bears his name. In spite of intense research, there is still no medication that can cure Alzheimer's. But the biologists working with Professor Haass at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich are hot on the tracks of the disease—with the help of the zebra fish. As en embryo, this fish is transparent, thereby allowing researchers to observe developments and changes in a living organism. Will the zebra fish help scientists to understand Alzheimer’s? To project page
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Search for a Cure: Episode 03, 10/08/2009
More Than Just Pretty
Only the best for the little one: the zebra fish is nurtured and cared for. Because only when the fish is healthy, does it produce many eggs — and these are the basis for the Alzheimer's research. They will be genetically changed in such a way that the fish will later develop the same symptoms as an Alzheimer's patient. This is possible for a reason one might not suspect at first glance: fish have an internal blueprint similar to that of humans. Among other things, the nerve cells in a zebra fish function in the same way as they do in a human brain. Will there soon be more fish darting about in the zebra fish tank?
11.11.2009
Coloured Fish
Success! Dominik’s fish are carrying the Alzheimer’s gene. But will they also develop the characteristic symptoms?
26.10.2009
Larvae Lights
How do you make an Alzheimer's fish? First, human DNA must be injected into the fish larvae—no easy task…
10.08.2009
More Than Just Pretty
Only the best for the little one: what do zebra fish need in order to lay as many of the much sought-after eggs as possible?
13.07.2009
The Nerve Killer
Amyloid – a protein which plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Everyone has it in their body, but not everyone develops the disease. But why?
30.06.2009
A Look Into the Brain
Alzheimer's: no longer knowing where you are, who you are or what you were going to do... To find an agent that counters this most frequent form of dementia, the researchers have bred thousands of zebra fish.
The Projects
Everything about wave hunters, discrete optimisers and love à la Darwin—here, you'll experience what lies behind the individual projects as you follow the research diaries and get to know the scientists.
Function through Diversity
Pioneering work in China: The largest ever forest experiment on biodiversity
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