I will study light-guided locomotion in Danionella cerebrum (Dc), a new vertebrate model that is phylogenetically and morphologically similar to the larval stage of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) (ZF) and has recently emerged as an interesting model for behavioral neuroscience. I will first quantify the kinematics of spontaneous navigation in Dc and then investigate the behavioral strategies underlying phototaxis.
Comparisons across individuals, ages, and species will be greatly aided by systematic mapping across specimens and with ZF. These data, along with optogenetic results, will be used to develop graphical network models that will represent the fundamental circuit mechanisms concerning phototaxis and their evolution over the lifetime of Dc.
Email: monica.coraggioso@sorbonne-universite.fr
Enrolment in Doctoral degree(s): Monica is enrolled in the Laboratoire Jean Perrin, Sorbonne Université.
