Developmental processes impact behavioural tendencies later in life. We analyse different behaviours across the lifespan of zebrafish, which undergo external fertilization and development and offer access to recording complex behaviours from early stages of life. We combine the study of behaviour with understanding the molecular basis of these behaviours. Currently, we are interested in understanding the role of immune factors in stress-responsive behaviour.

Developmental defects can result in conditions like epileptic seizures. Though epilepsy is a neurodevelopmental disorder, it has been mostly studied using adult mammals. Zebrafish are emerging as a useful model to study neurodevelopmental disorders like epilepsy, since they are vertebrates with >75% genetic similarity to humans. Further, they undergo external fertilization and development allowing in-depth analysis of neurodevelopmental processes. Currently, we are interested in understanding how mutations in epigenetic factors result in epilepsies.