Belgrade, Serbia – A small aquarium fish is emerging as an unexpected but powerful ally in the fight against some of the world’s most complex diseases, including cancer, cardiomyopathy, and Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers from Serbia, in collaboration with leading European institutions, are leveraging the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model to develop more precise, personalized therapeutic approaches tailored to individual patients.
In a recent appearance on national television, Dr. Aleksandra Divac Rankov and Dr. Jovana Jasnić from the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE) highlighted how this innovative research is reshaping modern medicine.
Zebrafish have become a central experimental platform in biomedical research due to their genetic similarity to humans and their suitability for real-time observation of disease processes. At IMGGE, these models are used to study disease mechanisms and test therapeutic responses in vivo, enabling researchers to better understand how diseases develop and how patients may respond to treatment.
This approach is particularly valuable in non-communicable diseases, which account for the majority of global mortality. Through international initiatives such as the Horizon Europe–funded ZeNCure project, Serbian scientists are working alongside top European research centers to strengthen zebrafish-based studies and accelerate the development of novel therapies.
The ultimate goal is to move beyond one-size-fits-all medicine toward personalized treatment strategies. By combining advanced genomic technologies with in vivo disease models, researchers aim to identify the most effective therapies for each patient, reducing trial-and-error in clinical care.
As Dr. Divac Rankov emphasized, such interdisciplinary and international collaboration is essential for translating laboratory discoveries into real-world medical solutions.
With continued investment in cutting-edge models and partnerships, Serbia is positioning itself as a growing contributor to the global effort to better understand and treat complex human diseases.
For more insights, watch the full interview: