Sleep remains a mystery to science, as it is a state where an organism is vulnerable to potentially deadly forces. It therefore must be important to physiology and survival. Prof. Lior Appelbaum and his team have examined the effect of sleep on brain activity using zebrafish embryos. Chromosomes were colored for visualization, and dynamic movements are imaged for analysis. The results show that when a fish is sleeping, chromosomes in the brain are very active and undergoing repair. The interpretation is that sleep is an essential state where neuronal activity is put on hold why the cells can repair their genetic materials. Co-hosted by University of Florida graduate student Brady Holmer. This is the the Appelbaum Lab website and Here is a link to the recent paper. Check out Brady Holmer’s blog and follow him on Twitter @B_Holmer # COLABRA Talking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/ # TALKING BIOTECH Twitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotech Website: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahq The Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.