Dr. Vatsala Thirumalai’s lab is interested in understanding the hierarchy, mechanisms and development of neural circuits that generate movement. Their focus is on the development of central pattern generators and the development of descending motor control from the brain. They also seek to understand the mechanisms by which brain locomotor circuits control movement in mature organisms. They use zebrafish, a small fresh water tropical fish endemic to the Ganges, as their model system. They employ a suite of techniques such as whole-cell patch clamp, calcium imaging and light-sheet microscopy to tease out the circuitry responsible for generating swimming in developing and more mature zebrafish. Using these cutting edge tools and technologies, they hope to throw light on the development of neural circuits and the neural basis of locomotion.