In 1981, George Streisinger et al. published a landmark paper describing the production of homozygous diploid clones of zebrafish (Danio rerio), launching the use of this organism as a powerful animal model system. Zebrafish offer several advantages as a model system, including their small size, ease of breeding, and optically transparent embryos that develop outside the body, enabling direct observation of organ development. Mating pairs can produce hundreds of embryos, making this model well-suited for obtaining large sample sizes and conducting robust analyses. Zebrafish were first used to study development and genetics. However, they quickly became recognized as an animal model for studying human disease, with the field expanding into drug screening, behavior, toxicology, regeneration, and impacts of environmental pollution.

This collection aims to leverage the cost-effective zebrafish vertebrate model, complemented by low-tech methodologies, for undergraduate research and other research environments where funding may be limited. The authors will present methods for utilizing zebrafish in genetic analysis, measuring physiological responses, and conducting toxicology and behavioral assays. These approaches are designed to be both affordable and accessible, allowing scientists and educators to integrate this model into their research and teaching. Additionally, this collection will be valuable for those looking to establish course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) on zebrafish that engage students in exploring biology-related questions.