Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is an important model for basic research into the molecular mechanisms underlying cell function and development, as well as a major biomedical research tool. A significant advantage of Drosophila is the ability to apply live cell imaging to a variety of living tissues that can be dissected and imaged in vivo, ex vivo, or in vitro. For example, such imaging can be used for visual genetic screens such as analysis of morphological characteristics or of the distribution of fluorescently tagged proteins in living embryos. Indeed, Drosophila embryos have proven to be a useful model system for studying a variety of cellular processes such as asymmetric division, migration, wound healing, apoptosis, and fasciculation, as well as for tracking lipid droplet motility, protein recycling, fast mRNA transport, and the movement of chromosomal loci within individual cells. A crucial first step before imaging is preparation of the experimental material to ensure physiological relevance and to achieve the best conditions for image quality. Because it contributes to autofluorescence and lack of transparency, it is useful to remove the chorion before imaging by treating the embryos with bleach. This protocol describes the collection and mounting of Drosophila embryos for live cell imaging.

Original publication

DOI

10.1101/pdb.prot5403

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cold Spring Harb Protoc

Publication Date

04/2010

Volume

2010

Keywords

Animals, Drosophila, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Microscopy, Morphogenesis