title: Live imaging of nervous system development and function using light-sheet microscopy.
abstract: In vivo imaging applications typically require carefully balancing conflicting parameters. Often it is necessary to achieve high imaging speed, low photo-bleaching, and photo-toxicity, good three-dimensional resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio, and excellent physical coverage at the same time. Light-sheet microscopy provides good performance in all of these categories, and is thus emerging as a particularly powerful live imaging method for the life sciences. We see an outstanding potential for applying light-sheet microscopy to the study of development and function of the early nervous system in vertebrates and higher invertebrates. Here, we review state-of-the-art approaches to live imaging of early development, and show how the unique capabilities of light-sheet microscopy can further advance our understanding of the development and function of the nervous system. We discuss key considerations in the design of light-sheet microscopy experiments, including sample preparation and fluorescent marker strategies, and provide an outlook for future directions in the field.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Ashburn, Virginia.
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lemon
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Ashburn, Virginia.
authors.forename: Philipp J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology*; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*