Time-Lapse Imaging of Postimplantation Mouse Embryos
Adapted from Imaging in Developmental Biology (ed. Sharpe and Wong). CSHL Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA, 2011.INTRODUCTION
Genetic manipulation methods allow fluorescent labeling of virtually any cell type or protein of interest in developing embryos, providing powerful insights into morphogenetic events at cellular and subcellular resolutions. The development of ex vivo embryo culture methods combined with high-resolution imaging provides a strong platform for observing morphogenetic events as they occur within the developing embryo. In this protocol, postimplantation mouse embryos are cultured directly on the microscope stage under conditions that carefully control temperature, humidity, and gas exchange. This permits time-lapse imaging of developing mouse embryos.
- © 2011 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
