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Crowdfunding launched
Research using zebrafish to uncover the underlying mechanisms of rare craniofacial disorders
2026.08.06
Notices
Researchers at the Laboratory of Developmental Disorders and Toxicology in Kyushu University’s Faculty of Agriculture, led by Associate Professor William Ka Fai Tse, investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying rare congenital craniofacial disorders using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled transgenic zebrafish and live imaging.
The transparent zebrafish embryo enables researchers to directly observe craniofacial development in living animals, providing a powerful model for studying human developmental disorders. Although causative genes have been identified for many rare diseases, how these mutations disrupt craniofacial development remains largely unknown. The laboratory has established multiple zebrafish disease models to visualize craniofacial development in vivo and better understand disease mechanisms.
To further advance this research, Kyushu University has launched a crowdfunding campaign with READYFOR Inc. (August 1–September 29, 2026; fundraising goal: JPY 800,000). Contributions from supporters in Japan and around the world are welcome. The project aims to provide a stronger scientific foundation for the future diagnosis and treatment of rare craniofacial disorders.
Crowdfunding website: https://readyfor.jp/projects/zebrafish
Fig. 1. Zebrafish housing system used to maintain disease models of rare craniofacial disorders.
Fig. 2. GFP-labeled neural crest cells (green) in transgenic zebrafish embryos, enabling real-time visualization of craniofacial development.
Contact
William Tse, Associate Professor
Faculty of Agriculture
TEL: +81-92-802-4767
FAX: +81-92-802-4544
Mail: kftse★agr.kyushu-u.ac.jp
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