Improving Welfare and Reproducibility in Zebrafish Research Workshop
5 Years of Research Shared and Celebrated
32 Talks * 6 Keynote Speakers * 100 International Zebrafish Experts * 9 Sponsors * Breakout Discussions
Inspired by an NC3Rs Project Grant to Rod Wilson, Greg Paull and Simon MacKenzie (Stirling) with key involvement of Jennifer Finlay, Will Davison and Cosima Porteus (PDRAs) and the Aquatic Resources Centre (ARC) team, the two-and-a-half day workshop took place 9-11 April in the Living Systems Institute and Western Exchange Hub.
The event was the culmination of 5 years of research into the role of water chemistry in zebrafish welfare and the reproducibility of zebrafish research studies. The study covered early life development to whole life cycle experiments and led to important findings relating to the major influence of water chemistry on growth, physiology, behaviour and reproduction in ways which will influence reproducibility.
The workshop was attended by 100 researchers, technicians, veterinarians, grant funding bodies, industry collaborators/partners and students from as far away as Hong Kong, Toronto, Oslo and the US as well as many British and European colleagues (15 countries represented in all).
The organisers are extremely grateful for additional support from 9 key sponsors which facilitated a gala evening in Reed Hall and on the final evening the impressive “Taste of the Westcountry” celebration supper at Darts Farm near Topsham.
Professor Rod Wilson said of the experience: “The level of investment in this event, crucially from both researchers and zebrafish facility managers from around the world, demonstrates the importance of the subject and need for ongoing, more nuanced work in this field.”
Co-PI Greg Paull, who opened the event, stated that it was quickly apparent that we had achieved the right blend of technicians and researchers attending the workshop and this ultimately helped underpin its success and acts as a blueprint for future events if we are to make progress in this challenging area of aligning research needs with the more practical aspects of welfare and husbandry of our research animals. Importantly, the workshop also helped showcase the Aquatic Resources Centre (ARC) and its research along with the work of the ARC team. Not only did the ARC team provide tours of the facility, but they also provided support and assistance to the running of the workshop and presented our own ARC projects through posters and talks putting Exeter ‘on the map’ as a world leading (zebra)fish facility.
A final thanks to Charlotte Murphy and to Eduarda Santos who kindly contributed to the welcome event promoting Exeter Universities activities more broadly and to Amanda Goodison for helping coordinate the workshop.
Plans are already taking shape for a possible follow up event in 2026!
Photos from the workshop
