Jill Keller (Murtha), DVM, PhD, DACLAM

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been extensively utilized for understanding mechanisms of development. These studies have led to a wealth of resources including genetic tools, informational databases, and husbandry methods. In spite of all these resources, zebrafish have been underutilized for exploring pathophysiology of disease and the aging process. Zebrafish offer several advantages over mammalian models for these studies, including the ability to perform saturation mutagenesis with relative ease and the capability to contain thousands of animals in a small space.

Dr. Keller's research involves the development of the mature zebrafish as an animal model for studying late-life diseases and the biology of aging. She and her team are studying a family of proteins called heat shock proteins (Hsps), which play a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. They have worked to characterize the heat shock response in mature zebrafish and how this response is altered during the aging process. In addition, they have an aging colony of zebrafish as part of an ongoing study to characterize the normal aging process in the zebrafish and the pathological changes that occur in zebrafish with aging. This includes examining morphological, histological, hematological, biochemical, and molecular changes that occur during the aging process in zebrafish. As part of this study, Dr. Keller's team is also developing a web-based atlas of adult zebrafish anatomy and age-related changes. Future goals include using zebrafish as a model for cancer.

Dr. Keller's second research focus involves studying the effects of metastasis-suppressing agents in the progression of prostate and breast cancer in a mouse model. Both prostate and breast cancer commonly metastasize to bone, leading to painful sequelae and significant impairment in health and well-being. Bone metastases incite osteoclastic activity in the bone. This suggests that osteoclast activity may be important in the initiation or progression of these metastases. Accordingly, blocking osteoclast activity may block the development or progression of bone metastases. Her team is examining compounds with the potential to mediate bone formation, which may inhibit the initiation or progression of bone metastases in cancer.