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87Zebrafish model for leukaemia treatmentDrugs must be tested rigorously before they are approved for use on human patients. First, they must be tested in a laboratory setting, then on animals, and finally on human subjects. Zebrafish are often used as model organisms for scientific research due to their similar genetic makeup and biological pathways to humans. The small size of zebrafish, together with their high reproductive rate, chemical permeability and ease of observation, also make them preferred biomedical model organisms. This explains why Dr Ma%u2019s team uses zebrafish to examine the clinical features of acute myeloid leukaemia in humans. %u201cBasically, we introduce over 30 different gene mutations in different combinations into the zebrafish to test how each combination contributes to the development of leukaemia and the specific response to the current treatment. We also try to find new target molecules specific to the physiology of leukaemia cells for targeted therapy,%u201d explains Dr Ma.In his research, Dr Ma has also discovered that phenylthiourea, an inhibitor of melanin production, induces autophagy %u2013 a natural process in which cells clean out damaged or unnecessary components %u2013 in zebrafish embryos. This discovery has sparked academic interest in the potential role of autophagy in melanoma progression and inhibition. To harness the potential of his research for practical use, Dr Ma co-founded an academic-led start-up, ZeBlast Technology Limited, to provide clinically relevant, off-the-shelf, and validated zebrafish models to accelerate drug developments for blood, heart and brain diseases.Prof. Cai%u2019s and Dr Ma%u2019s research outcomes have greatly increased accuracy in diagnosing and treating various cancers. Their work is helping healthcare professionals tailor the best care plans for patients, accompanied by improvements in prognosis and quality of life.HITTING THE BULLSEYE