Time-lapse microscopy of brain development.
Zebrafish embryos represent an ideal vertebrate model organism for noninvasive intravital imaging because of their optical clarity, external embryogenesis, and fast development. Many different labeling techniques have been adopted from other model organisms or newly developed to address a wealth of different developmental questions directly inside the living organism. The parallel advancements in the field of optical imaging let us now observe dynamic processes at the cellular and subcellular resolution. Combined with the repertoire of available surgical and genetic manipulations, zebrafish embryos provide the powerful and almost unique possibility to observe the interplay of molecular signals with cellular, morphological, and behavioral changes directly within a living and developing vertebrate organism. A bright future for zebrafish is yet to come, let there be light.
Köster
Reinhard W
RW
GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Developmental Genetics, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
Fraser
Scott E
SE
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000737:chemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012685:Sepharose / Q000737:chemistry; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D008747:Methylcellulose; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012685:Sepharose; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein