Cellular-resolution map of the larval zebrafish brain
How many discrete cell types exist in the vertebrate brain and how are they connected? In order to tackle this problem, we are automatically classifying neurons in a high-throughput fashion. The larval zebrafish brain is small but displays the basic architecture that is conserved across vertebrates. We are using a genetic tool that stochastically labels individual neurons with membrane-targeted fluorophores. Labeled neurons are imaged by confocal microscopy at high resolution and reconstructed for quantitative morphological analysis. In order to compare neurons between individual fish, we are registering them to a high-resolution, age-matched standard brain. With support from a local supercomputing center, this database shall become a web-accessible resource for the entire community.