Laboratory Interests: Development of methods for the biological containment of transgenic fish

The ability of genetically engineered organisms, particularly fish and insects, to escape confinement and become feral is considered to be the greatest science-based concern facing the animal biotechnology industry. Aquatic animals are notoriously difficult to physically confine and there is a need for methodologies to minimize the ecological risks of transgene flow from genetically engineered fish into native fish populations. We are using zebrafish, Danio rerio, as a model for studying various methods for the reproductive containment of transgenic fish. Confining genetic modifications to reproductively-contained commercial lines will prevent gene flow from genetically engineered fish into native fish populations.