Fictive movement recordings in juvenile zebrafish in virtual environments
Measuring behaviour during microscopy is critical for probing how nervous systems transform sensory information into decisions. However, imaging experiments require animals to be firmly held in place, which makes simultaneous behavioural measurements challenging. In larval zebrafish, there are two methods to overcome this problem: precise tracking of the freely moving tail in a head-restrained preparation and electrophysiological recordings from the ventral root canal in paralyzed animals.
For the project Fictive movement recordings in juvenile zebrafish in virtual environments, Armin Bahl and Panagiotis Eleftheriadis have built a new cutting-edge fluorescent microscope with electrophysiology capabilities. This allows them to perform such recordings. Armin Bahl and his colleagues use an online feedback approach to link motor signals to the immersive virtual environments, giving animals agency about the stimulus. So far, they have found that animals robustly follow directional motion cues.
“This new preparation allows us to systematically probe the cognitive abilities of zebrafish in a variety of different behavioural tasks, including social virtual interactions and collective decision-making,” summarizes Armin Bahl.
Research Scientist Panagiotis Eleftheriadis about his project experience
"Incoming information through sensory systems is our only access point to our environment. The properties of neural network computing transformations of such inputs to motor outputs and observable motion, are the fundamental basis of any behaviour. Investigating the mechanics of such processes is not only a thrilling task for me as a young neuroscientist but also of grave biological and even philosophical importance.
While preparing my PhD, I was lucky to come upon Armin Bahl's lab in Konstanz. I was even luckier when I got accepted for a half-year project as a visiting scientist in this amazing research group, working on establishing fictive locomotion experiments in larval zebrafish.
Getting to work, literally and figuratively, next to Armin Bahl, was one of the most educational and inspiring experiences of my career. As for the people, I can only say I will be back to see everyone very soon!"