Sample Preparation and Analysis of RNASeq-based Gene Expression Data from Zebrafish

The overall goal of this RNASeq analysis in zebrafish larval samples is to identify gene expression profiles for zebrafish embryos and larvae and to make quantitative comparative statements about gene expression changes between samples. This method can help answer key questions in any field for which zebrafish embryos or larvae are informative, such as how suppression of one targeted gene results in gene expression changes or a disruption of certain pathways relative to other conditions. The main advantage of this technique is that zebrafish are amenable to production of large numbers of animals, and whole animal transcriptome data can be easily obtained.

In addition, isolation of specific cell types can be achieved with ease using sorting of transgenic animals. Demonstrating the procedures will be Lain Hostelley, a graduate student, and Jessica Nesmith, a post-doc from my laboratory. To begin, culture embryos to three months of age, which is reproductive maturity.