Live Imaging of Tardigrade Embryonic Development by Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy
- Kira L. Heikes1,2 and
- Bob Goldstein1,2,3,4
- 1Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599;
- 2Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599;
- 3Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- ↵4Correspondence: bobg{at}unc.edu
Abstract
The tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris was chosen as a model system in part because embryos and animals are optically clear at all stages, facilitating the viewing and filming of internal processes. Multiplane video recordings under differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy have allowed early embryonic cell lineages to be reconstructed through seven rounds of division and have revealed invariant patterns of asymmetric cell divisions, nuclear migrations, and cell migrations. Here, we present a protocol for filming embryonic development of H. exemplaris by DIC microscopy.
Footnotes
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From the Emerging Model Organisms collection.
