The experiment involves zebrafish larvae that are divided into 4 different groups. 2 groups are conventionalized, and 2 are germ-free. 1 group from each condition is treated with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to induce gut inflammation from 4 days post-fertilization (dpf) to 6dpf, while the remaining 2 serve as untreated controls. 
Following treatment, the larvae are imaged with a microscope, facilitated by alcian blue staining, which highlights the mucus in the gut. The transparency of zebrafish larvae at this developmental stage allows for direct visualization of the stained mucus.
The aim of the project is to investigate the role of the gut microbiota in an inflammatory context, through analysis and comparison of the 4 experimental conditions.
 
This project is a part of  Marine Mantel's postdoc project, which aims to uncover the link between the ENS and inflammation.