Jérôme Clatot, Ph.D.

Neuroscience & Cardiovascular research

Clatot Laboratory: https://www.research.chop.edu/clatot-laboratory/research-overview

Vivid Ribbits grew from a desire to contribute meaningfully to the future of these extraordinary animals.

One of my core goals is to help preserve the genetic diversity of endangered dart frog species by connecting and maintaining distinct bloodlines within the hobbyist community. By keeping these lineages healthy and genetically robust, we can safeguard them for generations to come.

And perhaps one day - working alongside responsible keepers, researchers, and conservation partners - we may even support efforts to reintroduce the most threatened species back into the wild.

Vivid Ribbits is my way of blending passion, science, and stewardship to ensure that these living jewels of the rainforest continue to thrive.

I have shaped Vivid Ribbits into more than a single project - it has become a collection of passions that reflect my work as a researcher and biologist and my dedication to conservation - breeding and care of these animals.

In the Our Education and Research section, I share the scientific side of my work, including my studies on ion channel disorders—conditions where the electrical signals in the brain, muscles, or heart are disrupted. These disorders, known as channelopathies, can lead to issues such as epilepsy, muscle weakness, or certain cardiac rhythm problems. I also explore the fascinating connection between dart frog alkaloids and the way these electrical signals are controlled in neurons and muscle cells.

In the Vivid Ribbits Ecosystems section, I develop specialized tadpole systems that combine microbiology and plant‑biology principles to create healthy, low‑maintenance environments. These systems use natural wetland‑style filtration to maintain pristine, yet biologically rich, water quality. They also allow hobbyists to grow plant cuttings, supporting both strong husbandry practices and vibrant terrarium growth.

In Our Frogs, I highlight the species and bloodlines I maintain, with a focus on responsible breeding and the preservation of endangered lineage genetics through the identification and maintenance of distinct, unrelated lines. When available, we also offer select frogs for hobbyists to purchase, ensuring they come from healthy, well‑documented bloodlines.

In Our Plants, I share the tropical species that shape the lush environments my frogs thrive in. Plants are the heart of every healthy ecosystem, and we offer our extra rooted, soil‑free plants—grown in our wetland system.

I have been in love with forests, jungles, and wildlife since my childhood, and I kept my first frogs in the mid‑80s. That early passion eventually took me around the world exploring tropical ecosystems and the incredible diversity of amphibians.

Today, that same fascination drives my scientific work. I study ion channel disorders - called channelopathies - and use electrophysiology, a technique that measures tiny electrical signals in cells, to understand how genetic mutations disrupt the brain’s activity. My research explores new therapeutic strategies, from CRISPR‑Cas9 gene editing to small‑peptide technologies and insights inspired by natural toxins found in dart frogs.