Zebrafish are being used to investigate treatments for human tuberculosis.

The research, from a former University of Auckland student, has just been published in the world's top scientific journal, Nature.

Auckland University's Professor Philip Crosier says the research has been a collaborative effort between Auckland and Duke University in the States

It shows TB stimulates the growth of new blood vessels.

"That's opened up a new way of understanding how TB, in particular granuloma formation, starts."

Philip Crosier says Zebrafish are ideal for the research as they develop a similar type of TB as humans.

He says their transparent bodies help scientists view the disease's progression and the successfulness of potential treatments.