Zebrafish equipment

We have several pieces of equipment that can be booked for general use. However, Core staff needs to take priority on any equipment and bookings can be preempted at our discretion. Please contact Andrew Prendergast regarding equipment reservation.

ViewPoint Zebrabox Behavioral Apparatus: This is an automated, high-throughput imaging system that can observe and quantify the behavior of zebrafish larvae under various stimulus protocols. It is equipped with modules that can deliver vibration and bright light stimuli. It also has an optogenetics top light for delivering blue light stimuli, which could be used to activate channel rhodopsin-expressing neurons.

Roche LightCycler LC480II: This is a plate-based thermal cycler with optical detection. It is amenable to real-time quantitative PCR as well as high resolution melting analysis of PCR products using SYBR green or similar dye chemistry.

Olympus MVX10 fluorescent microscope: This is our primary fluorescent microscope used for screening and imaging of zebrafish embryos. It is brighter than many other fluorescent stereomicroscopes due to its use of a massive single light path (rather than two smaller ones delivered to each eye). It is equipped with a color camera and is also capable of recording video.

Microinjectors: We currently have three microinjectors for the delivery of DNA or RNA reagents into zebrafish embryos. These vary substantially in composition and behavior.