Prof. Maurizio Porfiri lecture - I IZN Web Conference

Title: Using mathematics and engineering to understand (a little more) zebrafish behaviour

Abstract: Mathematics and engineering offer a powerful range of theoretical and experimental approaches that can advance our understanding of the behavior of zebrafish. In this talk, we report recent advances on: (i) the design of biologically-inspired robotic fish to elicit highly-controllable and customizable stimuli for laboratory experiments on zebrafish behavior; (ii) the formulation of a new data-driven modeling framework to study zebrafish behavior within unprecedented “in silico” experiments that can help reduce the number of animals in preclinical studies; and (iii) the integration of information-theoretic tools to study the causal underpinnings of zebrafish social behavior and response to predators. The presentation is intended to expose neuroscientists to toolbox of methodological innovations that can enhance their experiments, while offering engineers and mathematicians an overview of fundamental mathematical and technological advancements that can find applications beyond the study of zebrafish.