title: Imaging the mitotic spindle.
abstract: The mitotic spindle, due to its striking form, has been imaged for well over 100 years. Composed largely of microtubules and chromosomes, the spindle also contains numerous proteins whose roles include biochemical and biophysical regulation of mitosis. Given the transient, dynamic nature of the spindle, the light microscope continues to be the main tool employed to unlock its mysteries. In this chapter, we will discuss modern light microscopy techniques commonly used for imaging this intricate cellular machine as well as provide examples and protocols. We will also describe some biological preparations and experimental regimes for investigation of the mitotic spindle.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Maddox
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ladouceur
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranjan
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dorn
authors.forename: Hery
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ratsima
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Amours
authors.forename: Amy S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Maddox
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D036681:Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / Q000379:methods; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000379:methods; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods; D008870:Microtubules / Q000235:genetics; D008938:Mitosis / Q000235:genetics; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*