'Technicolor' modified zebrafish reveals how skin regeneration works

Colorful fish can be beautiful to look at, but a type created by scientists could have a more important role.

A team led by Duke University has modified zebrafish using a system the researchers call "skinbow."

According to a press release, "Every cell on the surface of the fish, from the center of the eye to the tip of each scale, is genetically programmed to glow with a slightly different hue."

The purpose of this research is to track the activities of individual cells over time and see how they work together.

The hope is that this special line of Technicolor zebrafish can help scientists learn more about tissue regeneration which has been challenging due to their inability to see the different processes.

Lead researcher Kenneth D. Poss affirms, "This is a cutting-edge way to visualize hundreds or thousands of cells at once in a regenerating tissue."

Thus far, the team has been able to observe cells change through the normal lifecycle of skin and also through different injuries.