Ways of Thinking Fish Brain

Ways of Thinking Fish Brain

Observation of neural signals provide guidance on how the brain responds to the outside world. In a recent study, researchers built a mechanism to track the signal to the brain in larval zebrafish. Research using marker substances fluoresense (substances that can glow in the dark).

"This is a breakthrough," said Florian Engert, cell and molecular biologist at Harvard University, in response to the findings at LiveScience (January 31, 2013).

"No one else can see neural activity by fluorescence microscopy, in zebrafish larvae are free swimming and a good resolution," he added.

Zebrafish is widely used to study the genetics and development of vertebrates. Larval zebrafish ideal for a photograph nervous, because his head opaque. This makes it clear to scientists peering brain.

In these observations, the researchers constructed a genetic protein (GCaMP7a) that glow under a fluorescence microscope, as it crosses the nerve or brain cells. Results of these transgenic zebrafish bred for genetic protein expression in the area of ​​the brain called the optic tectum (the main part of the midbrain).

Optic tectum controls the movement of the eye when the animals saw something moving in the environment.

In one observation, scientists looked at the blinking dot and out. That suggests the signal lights in the fish brain. Furthermore, the microorganisms living paramecium (zebra fish food) was placed on the paralyzed side of the fish. Again, the signal came back on around the fish brain, following the movement of the paramecium.