Investigation into molecular mechanisms behind microbiome and normal neurobehavioral development in zebrafish

Changes in resident microbiota may have wide-ranging effects on human health. Previous research found axenic zebrafish (Danio rerio) exhibit hyperactivity at 10 days post fertilization (dpf). This abnormal neurobehavioral response can be prevented with re-colonization of axenic embryos with microbes at 1 dpf. The present study investigated the molecular mechanism behind this effect through RNA-sequencing of pooled 10 dpf larval head tissue from axenic, conventionally colonized controls, and axenic zebrafish recolonized with microbes at 1 dpf. Overall design: 10 days post fertilization (dpf) axenic (microbe free), conventionally colonized (normal), and axenic Danio rerio embryos recolonized with microbes at 1 dpf (control for axenic derivation process) were submitted for RNA-sequencing to investigate the molecular mechanism behind hyperactivity in axenic larvae.