title: Morphogenetic movements during axolotl neural tube formation tracked by digital imaging.
abstract: During neurulation in vertebrate embryos, epithelial cells of the neural plate undergo complex morphogenetic movements that culminate in rolling of the plate into a tube. Resolution of the determinants of this process requires an understanding of the precise movements of cells within the epithelial sheet. A computer algorithm that allows automated tracking of epithelial cells visible in digitized video images is presented. It is used to quantify the displacement field associated with morphogenetic movements in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) neural plate during normal neural tube formation. Movements from lateral to medial, axial elongations and area changes are calculated from the displacement field data and plotted as functions of time. Regional and temporal differences are identified. The approach presented is suitable for analyzing a wide variety of morphogenetic movements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: G Wayne
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Brodland
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, N6A 3K7, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: MacLean
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Globus
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vethamany-Globus
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba, R3A 1R9, Winnipeg, MB, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Jim H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Veldhuis
authors.affiliation: Brain Research Laboratories, Experimental Research Unit, Victoria Hospital Research Institute, N6A 4G5, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Del Maestro
keywords: Axolotl; Cell tracking; Image processing; Morphogenetic movements; Neurulation