Behavioral and Neural Genetics of Zebrafish

The past decade has seen a rapid accumulation of knowledge on the behavioral characteristics of zebrafish, and their use in increased investigation into the neurobiological basis of behavior. This simple vertebrate represents an ideal compromise between system complexity and practical simplicity, with its mammalian sequence homology, fecundity, transparent embryology, and conveniently small size. Behavioral and Neural Genetics of Zebrafish assembles the state-of-the-art methodologies and the most current concepts pertinent to their neurobehavioral genetics. Discussing its natural behavior, motor function, and learning and memory, it focuses on the fry and adult zebrafish and features a comprehensive account of modern genetic and neural methods adapted to or specifically developed for Danio rerio. Numerous examples of how these behavioral methods may be utilized for disease models using the zebrafish will be presented, as well as a section on bioinformatics and "big-data" related questions. Focusing on this excellent translational tool, this book examines a species with which investigators may model and analyze even such complex human diseases as those associated with brain dysfunction.