We study the genes and neurons that regulate sleep in zebrafish
Research Projects
How We Measure Sleep
Sleep is a specific behavioral state defined by inactivity, specific posture, and changed arousal threshold. Using automated video-tracking software, we monitor hundreds of zebrafish larvae over several days and nights.
Learn More →Sleep Genetics & Pharmacology
Using CRISPR-Cas9, we create sleep mutants by targeting specific genes. We've also generated a large dataset from behavioral fingerprints of nearly 6,000 small molecules to identify compounds that alter zebrafish sleep.
Learn More →Circuits & Synapses
The transparent larval zebrafish brain allows us to simultaneously track behavior while watching brain activity using genetically encoded calcium indicators like GCaMP.
Learn More →Sleep & Disease
Sleep disruption is a major aspect of many disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. We systematically test genes associated with these diseases.
Learn More →
People
Principal Investigator
Prof. Jason Rihel, PhD
Professor of Behavioural Genetics
Jason fell in love with the molecular dissection of behavior as an undergraduate in Jeff Price's lab at West Virginia University, where he worked on the fruit fly circadian clock mutant, double-time. He pursued his PhD in Catherine Dulac's lab at Harvard University (1998-2004), studying the molecular underpinnings of mouse pheromone detection. For his postdoctoral work, Jason joined Alexander Schier's lab, first at the Skirball Institute at NYU and then back at the Biolabs of Harvard University (2004-2011). Together with David Prober (now at CalTech), Jason worked out methods to study the molecular biology of sleep in zebrafish.
UCL Profile →Current Lab Members
Katerina Tsantila
Research Technician
Josh Donnelly
Research Technician
Yi Lim
Part-time Tech
Recent Alumni
Shreena Nayee
Research Technician Alum
Sumi Lim
Research Fellow Alum
Dr. Francois Kroll
PhD Alum / Research Fellow 2022-2023
Dr. Anya Suppermpool
PhD Alum / Research Fellow 2022-2023
Dr. Sabine Reichert
Sir Henry Wellcome Trust Fellow (2014-2019)
Dr. Shannon Shibata
PhD Alum (defended 2019)
Dr. Marcus Ghosh
PhD Alum (defended 2018)
Dr. Ida Barlow
PhD Alum (defended 2017)
Recent Publications
* denotes corresponding author
For a complete list of publications, visit our full publications page.
2025
Kroll F, Donnelly J, Özcan GG, Mackay E, Rihel J* (2025) "Behavioural pharmacology predicts disrupted signalling pathways and candidate therapeutics from zebrafish mutants of Alzheimer's disease risk genes". eLife 13:RP96839
View Publication →Kempthorne, L., Vaizoglu, D., Cammack, A.J. et al. (2025). "Dual-targeting CRISPR-CasRx reduces C9orf72 ALS/FTD sense and antisense repeat RNAs in vitro and in vivo". Nature Communications 16.495
View Publication →2024
Suppermpool A, Lyons DG, Broom E, Rihel J* (2024). "Sleep pressure modulates single-neuron synapse dynamics in zebrafish". Nature 629, 639-45.
View Publication →Özcan GG, Lim S, Canning T, Tirathdas L, Donnelly J, Kundu T, Rihel J* (2024). "Genetic and chemical disruption of Amyloid Precursor Protein processing impairs zebrafish sleep maintenance". iScience 27, 108870.
View Publication →2023
Benoit E, Lyons DG, Rihel J* (2023). "Noradrenergic Tone is Not Required for Neuronal Activity-Induced Rebound Sleep in Zebrafish". J Comp Physiol B.
View Publication →Barlow IL, Mackay E, Wheater E, Goel A, Lim S, Zimmerman S, Woods I, Prober DA, Rihel J* (2023). "The zebrafish mutant dreammist implicates sodium homeostasis in sleep regulation". eLife 12:RP87521
View Publication →
Positions Available
PhD Opportunities
The Rihel Lab is listed on the following PhD programmes:
Please contact Jason Rihel for more details about these or other research opportunities.
Photos
Rihel lab Graduates, 2025
Dr.Pittman Poster Prize- Innsbruck, 2025
Dr. Goble CDB lecture-- wins prize for this in 2025
Dr. Tirathas defends thesis, 2025
Celebrating a viva
Prof Rihel gives a public lecture, 2023
Dr Suppermpool gives the UCL Neuroscience Early Career Prize lecture, 2024
Prof Rihel with lab and suprise guest almuni, 2024
The Quote Clock speaks of sleep
Funding
Current and Recent Funding
European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant (5 year award)
BBSRC 3 year Project Grants
BBSRC 3 year Project Grants
Wellcome Trust Investigator Award
How to Find Us
Location
We are located on the first floor of the Anatomy Building at UCL on Gower Street (Rihel office: Room 108).
For entry, ask the guard at the door to contact the Rihel office/lab (office extension: 65508; lab: 45711).
By Underground
From Euston Square tube stop, head South on Gower Street 3 blocks. The Anatomy Building is on the left.
From Warren Street tube, head South on Tottenham Court Road and turn left on University Street.
Also accessible from Goodge Street and Euston tube stops.
By Bus
Southbound routes 10, 24, 29, and 73 stop right by UCL's main gate.
Postal Address
1st Floor
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
UCL
Gower Street
London, United Kingdom WC1E 6BT
Contact
Email: j.rihel@ucl.ac.uk
Phone: +44 020 3549 5508
