#43: Tracking Regeneration of the Zebrafish Optic Nerve Using the Optokinetic Response — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

Instructions

Student presentations must have a faculty sponsor.

Abstracts must include a title and a description of the research, scholarship, or creative work. The description should be 150-225 words in length and constructed in a format or style appropriate for the presenter’s discipline.

The following points should be addressed within the selected format or style for the abstract:

A clear statement of the problem or question you pursued, or the scholarly goal or creative theme achieved in your work.
A brief comment about the significance or uniqueness of the work.
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Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

#43: Tracking Regeneration of the Zebrafish Optic Nerve Using the Optokinetic Response

Name: Sarah Young
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Kenosha WI
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE nih grant

Name: Mackenzie Horutz
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Rockville IN
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE nih grant

Name: Claire Wulf
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Hudson wi
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE nih grant

Abstract

Zebrafish have eyes similar to humans making them a useful model organism for studying vision. However, zebrafish are different in that they are able to regenerate their optic nerve after injury, which most other animals cannot. Measuring vision in people who have communicative ability is achieved using eye charts. Because fish cannot use an eye chart, we utilize the optokinetic response (OKR) that is present in virtually all vertebrates to determine if a zebrafish has eyesight. The OKR is observed by monitoring eye movement in response to visual stimuli. By injuring the optic nerve on a zebrafish we can track its regeneration by measuring the return of its OKR. Recorded videos of the OKR are then analyzed through a deep learning software called DeepLabCut. The analysis could be done manually, but computational methods save significant amounts of time. This provides insight to the functional process of regeneration, whereas previous work has focused on the anatomical process. Understanding the functional regeneration in zebrafish will aid in developing treatment for humans with optic nerve injuries.

Poster file