title: Volumetric tracking of migratory melanophores during zebrafish development by optoacoustic microscopy.
abstract: Unveiling mechanisms driving specification, recruitment and regeneration of melanophores is key in understanding melanin-related disorders. This study reports on the applicability of a hybrid focus optoacoustic microscope (HFOAM) for volumetric tracking of migratory melanophores in developing zebrafish. The excellent contrast from highly-absorbing melanin provided by the method is shown to be ideal for label-free dynamic visualization of melanophores in their unperturbed environment. We established safe laser energy levels that enable high-contrast longitudinal tracking of the cells over an extended period of developmental time without causing cell toxicity or pigment bleaching. Owing to its hybrid optical and acoustic resolution, the new imaging technique can be seamlessly applied for noninvasive studies of both optically-transparent larval as well as adult stages of the zebrafish model organism, which is not possible using other optical microscopy methods.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Medicine, Technische Univeristät München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kneipp
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lauri
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jake
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Medicine, Technische Univeristät München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ntziachristos
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Gil G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Westmeyer
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Medicine, Technische Univeristät München, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: dr@tum.de.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Razansky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation; D008547:Melanophores / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D061088:Photoacoustic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000254:growth & development*
keywords: Label-free; Melanocytes; Optoacoustic microscopy; Tracking; Volumetric