Development and Embryology

Developmental biology and embryology benefit from the ability to acquire different data types with light-sheet microscopy. For example, 3D data stacks can be acquired at single time points, and when imaging multiple samples, one can create developmental templates and understand developmental plasticity.

Using time-lapse imaging, structural and functional studies, and calcium imaging and single-cell tracking allows insights into dynamic processes occurring during development. Fixed and cleared tissue samples enable researchers to simultaneously explore development at both the cellular and organism levels.

By employing a variety of models and experimental approaches, scientists can gain a comprehensive understanding of intricate biological processes at play and complementary insights into developmental biology.

Light-sheet microscopy stands out as an imaging technique with:

• A gentle approach that allows imaging of fragile samples
• Low phototoxicity enabling long time-lapse imaging with healthy samples
• Fast imaging speed for imaging multiple samples in very short timeframes, ensuring sample comparability

Applications include:

• Cell tracking and morphogenesis
• Cell differentiation, maturation, and specialization
• Developmental genetics, signalling pathways, and drug screening

Case Study – Cell Tracking

Cell tracking and the computational analysis of this cellular behavior provide insights into the dynamic processes governing tissue formation and organogenesis. Researchers can decipher the mechanisms and processes of cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and signaling by monitoring individual cells over time. This enables the construction of spatiotemporal maps of embryonic development, cellular responses, and tissue regeneration.

Ultimately, cell tracking and the computational analysis of these data can contribute to our understanding of how organisms form and develop.

Cell Tracking in Drosophila Embryo Development

Cell tracking created with arivis Vision4D 3D visualization and analysis software. Imaged on the MuVi SPIM.

Courtesy of:
Celia Smits and Stanislav Y. Shvartsman
Department of Molecular Biology
Princeton University, NJ
USA

Zebrafish Development

Zebrafish imaged on the MuVi SPIM. Stitched from 5 stacks in Imaris, each 340 slices, 16 hour/10min. Fish growth can be observed.

Courtesy of:
Prof. Jingxia Liu
Huazhong Agricultural University
China

Whole Organism Development

Studying mouse development holds immense importance in developmental biology for several reasons. Mice share close genetic similarity with humans, which makes them an invaluable model organism to understand fundamental embyrogenesis and organogenesis. Also, insights gained from mouse studies often have direct relevance to human biology and disease and can aid in the discovery of potential therapeutic strategies for various conditions.

Whole Organ Imaging - Geometric Patterning of Tissues

The combination of tissue clearing and light-sheet imaging can deliver insights into in-toto geometric patterning of tissues, organs, and organisms. This application highlights the intricate branching patterns of mouse lungs and blood vessels.

Zebrafish Vascular Biology

The vascular system transports blood, oxygen, and nutrients through the body, and therefore, plays a pivotal role in embryonic development, health, and disease. Investigating vascular development provides not only insights into biological processes but also the origins of congenital vascular diseases. These insights can potentially pave the way for early diagnosis and intervention. 

Moreover, embryonic vascular research has broader implications for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, as it offers valuable insights into mechanisms of vascular growth and repair.

Vascular Development in Zebrafish

From left to right: the video shows a beating Zebrafish heart imaged at 50 frames/sec, followed by Zebrafish blood vessels (magenta) and red blood cells (yellow) and Zebrafish blood flow imaged at 50 frames/sec. Imaged on the MuVi SPIM.

Courtesy of:
Nadia Mercader & Inés Marques
University of Bern
Bern, Switzerland

Drosophila Embryo Development

Transgenic line expressing His2Av-mCherry as fluorescent nuclear reporter. The fruit fly embryo was imaged for almost one complete day (4 × 200 slices every 30 seconds). Imaged on the MuVi SPIM.

Courtesy of:
Lars Hufnagel
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
Heidelberg, Germany

Zebrafish Embryonic Development

Zebrafish embryo expressing Histone H2A-GFP imaged every 6 min from late gastrula to 15–17 somite stage. Imaged on the MuVi SPIM.

Courtesy of:
Andres Collazo
Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA
as well as: Course faculty and participants of the 2017 Zebrafish Course
Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL)
Woods Hole, MA, USA

Drosophila Egg Chambers

Drosophila ovariole stained with phalloidin to label actin (red) found along membranes and the germline ring canals, DAPI (blue) to show the nuclei, and a somatic ring canal marker (green) to label the ring canals in the epithelium.

Courtesy of:
Jasmin Imran Alsous
Schvartsman Lab
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA