Looking inside the brain

Research Group of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute

The lab of Prof. Christoph Englert investigates the function and influence of individual genes: in the development of organs, in the cause of diseases, and ageing. Dr. Birgit Perner uses the zebrafish Danio rerio as a model organism. Using state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, she gains fascinating insights into the fish's brain. Certain substances or cells are coloured with fluorescent dyes, which light up under the microscope. Top: lateral view of the head of a zebrafish, in which nerve cells (red) and areas containing the neurotransmitter dopamine (green) can be seen. Middle: Top view of the brain with nerve cells also coloured red. Bottom: the same top view, but this time blood vessels (red, green) were made visible.

© Birgit Perner

Looking inside the brain

Research Group of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute

The lab of Prof. Christoph Englert investigates the function and influence of individual genes: in the development of organs, in the cause of diseases, and ageing. Dr. Birgit Perner uses the zebrafish Danio rerio as a model organism. Using state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, she gains fascinating insights into the fish's brain. Certain substances or cells are coloured with fluorescent dyes, which light up under the microscope. Top: lateral view of the head of a zebrafish, in which nerve cells (red) and areas containing the neurotransmitter dopamine (green) can be seen. Middle: Top view of the brain with nerve cells also coloured red. Bottom: the same top view, but this time blood vessels (red, green) were made visible.

© Birgit Perner