Fish kept at Hong Kong university could hold key to finding cure for dementia, say scientists who won prestigious innovation award

  • Professor Wen Zilong and team from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology win Croucher Innovation Award
  • Group has been studying zebrafish, which has a similar nervous system to humans

Professor Wen Zilong, of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said he has kept the genetically modified zebrafish at his laboratory because their nervous systems are similar to that of humans. Photo: Handout

More than 30,000 transparent tropical fish kept in the water tanks of a university could be the key to Hong Kong scientists finding a cure for dementia.

Professor Wen Zilong, of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), said he has kept these genetically modified zebrafish at his laboratory because their nervous systems are similar to that of humans.

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