Zebra fish- the new frontier

Research is currently being conducted on zebra fish because it has the ability to heal itself after a heart attack. It originates from the ganges river in the Indian sub-continent and is commonly kept as a pet. Some genetically modified varieties have the ability to glow in the dark.

The mechanism by which it achieves this, is to produce a blood clot around the damaged area. A protein called thymosine Beta-4 then makes new blood vessels and heart tissues.

It is thought that the protein thymosine Beta-4 may one day be used in the form of a pill and given to patients who suffer a heart attack. In the future, Zebra fish could be the cure for a heart attack.