Nutrition and how it impacts behavior and development
[Past Projects]
Dr. Brian Bagatto and Katie Duval
We are working towards understanding how different levels of macronutrients may impact the physiology of zebrafish. More specifically, we want to first see if when presented with foods that have different levels of major macronutrients (carbohydrate, fats, protein), will the fish choose one over the others or show any type of preference. From there, we want to specifically feed some fish one diet while others receive the alternative options and then run tests to understand how those feeding choices impact their behavior, how many eggs females will produce, and potentially the developmental rate of offspring and their cardiovascular development. Zebrafish are a great model organism for this type of research because of the ease of raising them, high fecundity, and the ability to observe the early development of the cardiovascular system, to name a few. Projects are continuously evolving, and potential students would gain valuable experience in animal care, as well as the importance of trouble shooting in science research.
Click here for more information on Dr. Bagatto’s lab.
