257 -- Localization of the Sonic the Hedgehog (Shh) protein in Zebrafish retinas

Unlike most vertebrates, zebrafish possess the unique ability to regenerate organ tissues and retinas when damaged. Understanding this regenerative process could be the key to assisting in preventing and healing damaged retinal cells in humans. Zebrafish can regenerate damaged retinal cells when proliferating progenitor cells re-enter the cell cycle and then differentiate into new retinal cells. The differentiation of these cells is highly regulated by many signaling pathways. One such pathway is the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. It has been shown that Sonic Hedgehog protein (shh) of the Hh pathway plays a significant role in the differentiation of progenitor cells during embryotic development and retinal healing in zebrafish. Localization of the shh protein can help us better understand where the shh protein is expressed in healthy retinas and then in damaged retinas. Analyzing the differences in location among samples can help identify which regions of the retina are predominantly regulated by shh.