DANIO RERIO (ZEBRAFISH) - A UNIQUE AND INTEGRATIVE PLATFORM FOR 21ST CENTURY BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become an important vertebrate model in modern biomedical research due to their genetic similarity to humans, rapid embryonic development, and suitability for in vivo experimentation. Their optical transparency, high fecundity, and ease of genetic manipulation allow detailed investigation of developmental processes, disease mechanisms, and pharmacological effects. This review summarizes current applications of zebrafish in preclinical research, including toxicology, neurobiology, oncology, regenerative medicine, infectious diseases, and drug discovery. Zebrafish models enable efficient screening of therapeutic compounds, real-time observation of pathological processes, and analysis of molecular pathways involved in tissue regeneration and disease progression. Although certain physiological differences limit direct clinical translation, zebrafish provide a cost-effective and ethically advantageous platform that complements mammalian models. Their continued use significantly contributes to accelerating biomedical research and improving the early stages of translational medicine.