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Fiber Optic-Based Photostimulation of Larval Zebrafish

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Zebrafish

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1451))

Abstract

The perturbation of neural activity is a powerful experimental approach for understanding brain function. Light-gated ion channels and pumps (optogenetics) can be used to control neural activity with high temporal and spatial precision in animal models. This optogenetic approach requires suitable methods for delivering light to the brain. In zebrafish, fiber optic stimulation of agarose-embedded larvae has successfully been used in several studies to control neural activity and behavior. This approach is easy to implement and cost-efficient. Here, a protocol for fiber optic-based photostimulation of larval zebrafish is provided.

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Acknowledgments

I thank Tod R. Thiele, António M. Fernandes, and Christian Brysch for comments on the manuscript, and Tod R. Thiele for contributing his experience regarding zebrafish fiber optic experiments. I am grateful to Wolfgang Driever for support. This study was supported by the Excellence Initiative of the German Federal and State Governments DFG EXC307 (CIN - Interdisciplinary Centre for Integrative Neuroscience), DFG EXC294 (BIOSS - Centre for Biological Signalling Studies), as well as the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung (Eliteprogramme for Postdocs).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neurobiology, Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, Tübingen, 72076, Germany

    Aristides B. Arrenberg

  2. Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute Biology I, Hauptstrasse 1, Freiburg, Germany

    Aristides B. Arrenberg

  3. BIOSS-Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, Freiburg, D-79104, Germany

    Aristides B. Arrenberg

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  1. Aristides B. Arrenberg
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Correspondence to Aristides B. Arrenberg .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan

    Koichi Kawakami

  2. Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, MRC Human Genetics Unit & The University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    E. Elizabeth Patton

  3. Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal

    Michael Orger

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Arrenberg, A.B. (2016). Fiber Optic-Based Photostimulation of Larval Zebrafish. In: Kawakami, K., Patton, E., Orger, M. (eds) Zebrafish. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1451. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3771-4_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3771-4_24

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-3769-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-3771-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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