Glia are non-neuronal cells with a diversity of functions, ranging from forming the myelin sheath to defending the brain against infection. The Talbot lab uses zebrafish to discover new genes that are essential for the development and function of two classes of glia in the CNS: oligodendrocytes and microglia. In particular, oligodendrocytes form myelin on axons in the CNS. After an oligodendrocyte begins to myelinate axons, it has a “critical period” to extend new myelinating processes. Using genetic and cellular approaches in zebrafish, the lab has identified a number of positive and negative regulators of myelination. An overarching goal of the work is to determine how these factors control myelination during development, neural plasticity, and remyelination.