Final Report Summary - FISHBRAIN (Neural Circuits Underlying Visually Guided Behaviour) Our goal is to understand how the brain integrates sensory information and selects and executes appropriate actions. In particular, we aim to determine the organization and function of neural circuits underlying visually guided behaviors. We use zebrafish as a model organism because it allows us to visualize and manipulate activity in neural circuits throughout a vertebrate brain. At just one week old, zebrafish can following moving patterns, avoid predators and track and capture live prey. With their small, transparent head, the entire volume of the brain can be imaged non-invasively at single cell resolution. Our approach has three main themes: 1) Quantitative analysis of behavior. 2) Whole brain imaging of neural activity dynamics. 3) Perturbation of identified neurons to reveal their role in sensorimotor processing. In parallel, we are developing genetic tools that allow specific targeting and manipulation of identified cell types.During this grant period, our lab has achieved several key research objectives. 1) We have developed a system for real-time high speed tracking of eye and tail movements in multiple, freely swimming zebrafish larvae, and have used this system to systematically characterize their locomotor repertoire, and to quantitatively determine the mapping of visual stimuli onto motor output. 2) In collaboration with groups at Janelia Farm Research Campus, we have been testing optimized genetic tools for non-invasive recording of neural function in the zebrafish. 3) We have developed state-of-the-art optical methods, based on two-photon and light-sheet imaging, to make whole-brain functional activity maps at single cell resolution from behaving fish. 4) We have made transgenic lines to target expression of genetically encoded tools to different elements of the neuronal circuits underlying visuomotor behaviors.During this period, good progress has been made towards integrating the research group at the Champalimaud Foundation. The Principal Investigator was positively evaluated by the institution’s external Scientific Advisory Board, and the lab has secured research grants from multiple external sources, and recruited graduate students and postdoctoral fellows funded by individual fellowships. Work during the grant period has already contributed to several published and submitted manuscripts. In addition the work has been presented at many international meetings and conferences, outreach events, and in local and international media.
