"Zebrafish are vertebrates and therefore share a high degree of sequence and functional homology with mammals, including humans. Due to the conservation of cell biological and developmental processes across all vertebrates, studies in fish can give great insight into human disease processes." (nc3rs.org)

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Additionally, zebrafish offer multiple advantages as a model system. At early larval stages, the skull and vertebrae have not yet formed, making it transparent and therefore highly accessible for several types of analysis. In our lab, we use electrophysiology to record electrical activity from neurons, calcium imaging to record neuron networks, optogenetics to manipulate neuronal activity, all during ethologically relevant behaviors like swimming and hunting.