DISEASE MODELING AND THERAPEUTICS

Day 1: From Animal Models to Precision Medicine

Registration

Welcoming notes

Dr. Sahar Da’as

From Animal Models to Precision Medicine

Rodent Models for Autoinflammatory Skin Diseases: Tools to Unravel Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Targets

Dr. Sergio Crovella

Animal Models: Regulatory Considerations & Ethical Oversight

Dr. Haissam Abou Saleh

The powerful mouse model to study human disease

Dr. Michail Nomikos

Coffee Break

Embryonic chick: A popular vertebrate model in research

Dr. Huseyin Cagatay Yalcin

Xenopus oocytes as a model. The frog remains

Dr. Raphael COURJARET

Drosophila melanogaster: The Power of Drosophila in Genetic and Neuroscience Research

Dr. Mohammad Farhan

The C. elegans Models in Studying Human Diseases

Dr. Ehsan Pourkarimi

Zebrafish Models at Sidra Medicine

Dr. Sahar Da’as – Human Genetic Disease Modeling Platform – 10 minutes

Dr. Matteo Avella – Functional genomics and genome-edited models in reproductive biology – 25 minutes

Dr. Diogo Manoel – Functional Genomics of a Clinical Case-Study in Zebrafish Reveals Crosstalk Between Cardiac and Metabolic Pathology – 25 minutes

The Zebrafish Functional Genomics Facility at Sidra Medicine is a state-of-the-art research center dedicated to modeling human genetic diseases using zebrafish (Danio rerio). The facility leverages the genetic similarity between zebrafish and humans to investigate the genetic basis of various disorders, particularly rare pediatric conditions by employing advanced techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, high-resolution imaging, and behavioral assays. These models enable researchers to observe developmental processes and disease progression in real-time, facilitating the identification of potential therapeutic targets.

By integrating genomic data with functional studies in zebrafish, the facility accelerates the translation of genetic findings into clinical insights, supporting Sidra Medicine’s mission to advance precision medicine and improve healthcare outcomes for patients with genetic disorders.

Lunch Break

Advanced Imaging Platform

Dr. Abbirami Sathappan

Sidra Medicine

Towards a future beyond animal testing

Dr. Arsenii Dmitriev

Bionomous Egg Sorter

ZEISS Imaging Technologies for Animal Disease Models: From In Vivo Studies to Advanced Tissue Analysis

Mr. Cicerone Tudor

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions

Coffee Break

Panel Discussion and Closing Remarks

Leading experts will discuss how each model system uniquely advances our understanding of human disease, highlight the strengths and limitations of various approaches, and how emerging technologies such advanced imaging are reshaping translational research within precision medicine.

Day 2: A Practical Dive into Zebrafish Model

Registration & Welcome Remarks & Hands-On Briefing

Facilitator: Dr. Sahar Da’as

Venue: Sidra Medicine Outpatient clinics 6th floor room C6.301

Format: Hands-on, small-group rotation.

The second day of the workshop offers immersive, hands-on experience with the zebrafish model, focusing on its applications in studying human genetic diseases. Through practical training in microinjection, behavioral assays, and advanced imaging, participants will gain valuable skills in modeling gene function and phenotypes relevant to human disorders, reinforcing the zebrafish’s power as a translational research tool.

Practical Session I

Facilitator: Ms. Samar Shurbaji – Ms. Meissa Hamdi

Zebrafish housing and breeding

Embryo development screening

Applications in zebrafish housing and breeding techniques are essential for maintaining healthy stocks and timed embryo collections. Participants will learn how to identify and stage developing embryos.

Coffee Break

Practical Session II

Facilitator: Ms. Doua Abdelrahman

Zebrafish microinjection and visualization

Applications in zebrafish embryo microinjection and visualization techniques, providing participants with hands-on experience in delivering genetic materials such as fluorescent dye, CRISPR, mRNA, or morpholinos.

Facilitator: Dr. Arsenii Dmitriev

Bionomous Egg Sorter

The EggSorter automatically screen, sort, and plate small biological entities ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm in size. It works as a large particle sorter of entities such as fish embryos (zebrafish, killifish, and aquaculture species), hydrogel beads, and 3D-cell cultures.

Practical Session III

Facilitator: Ms. Tala Abuarja

Burst imaging – Cardiovascular function imaging

The session will introduce burst imaging, a behavioral assay used to assess neuromuscular responses. Also, it will cover cardiovascular function imaging, allowing participants to observe live embryos’ heart structure and blood flow. These techniques are essential for studying gene function and modeling cardiovascular disorders in zebrafish.

Facilitator: Mr. Waseem Hasan

Zebrafish larvae behavior analysis (Ethovision)

Imaging Vast BioImager

Applications in zebrafish larvae behavior analysis using EthoVision XT, a powerful tool for tracking and quantifying movement patterns in response to genetic or pharmacological interventions. Participants will also gain hands-on experience with the VAST BioImager system, enabling high-throughput imaging of zebrafish larvae. The session emphasizes how automated behavior tracking and imaging can be applied in functional genomics and disease modeling.

Lunch Break

Practical Session IV

Facilitator: Mr. Cicerone Tudor – Dr. Abbirami Sathappan

Lightsheet Imaging

Cell Discover Imaging

Applications in zebrafish advanced imaging technique that allows high-resolution, 3D visualization of live or fixed zebrafish embryos with minimal phototoxicity. Participants will learn how to prepare samples, operate the system. This session highlights the value of lightsheet and CD 7 imaging in developmental biology and disease modeling, offering insights into tissue architecture.

Coffee Break

Practical Session V

Data Analysis (Cardiovascular, burst, Danioscope, Image J)

Participants will learn to analyze experimental data generated from zebrafish models using tools such as DanioScope for cardiovascular and burst activity analysis, and ImageJ for image processing and quantification. The session will provide practical guidance on interpreting functional data, enabling participants to extract meaningful insights from behavioral and imaging assays relevant to human genetic disease studies.

Closing Remarks

Q & A

Certificates