Förderung durch das G. Ribble Fellowships in der Abteilung für Biologie, das Kentucky Young Researchers und Undergraduate Education-Eureka zur Verfügung gestellt! Office (Univ. of KY).

<ol>
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B. 167, 89-97 (1997).</li><li>Johnson, E., Ringo, J., Bray, N., Dowse, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+and+pharmacological+identification+of+ion+channels+central+to+the+Drosophila+cardiac+pacemaker.">Genetic and pharmacological identification of ion channels central to the Drosophila cardiac pacemaker.</a> J. Neurogenetics. 12, 1-24 (1998).</li><li>Johnson, E., Ringo, J., Dowse, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Native+and+heterologous+neuropeptides+are+cardioactive+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Native and heterologous neuropeptides are cardioactive in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> J. Insect Physiol. 1, 1229-1236 (2000).</li><li>Johnson, E., Sherry, T., Ringo, J., Dowse, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+the+cardiac+pacemaker+of+Drosophila:+cellular+mechanisms.">Modulation of the cardiac pacemaker of Drosophila: cellular mechanisms.</a> J. Comp. Physiol. B, Biochem., Systemic, Environmental Physiol. 172, 227-236 (2002).</li><li>Lewis, E. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+standard+food+medium.">A new standard food medium.</a> Drosophila Inform. Serv. 34, 117-117 (1960).</li><li>Miller, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Control+of+circulation+in+insects.">Control of circulation in insects.</a> General Pharmacol. 29, 23-38 (1997).</li><li>Molina, M. R., Cripps, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ostia,+the+inflow+tracts+of+the+Drosophila+heart,+develop+from+a+genetically+distinct+subset+of+cardial+cells.">Ostia, the inflow tracts of the Drosophila heart, develop from a genetically distinct subset of cardial cells.</a> Mechanisms of Development. 118, 51-59 (2001).</li><li>Muller, K. J., Nicholls, J. G., Stent, G. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Neurobiology of the Leech. , 254-254 (1981).</li><li>Nichols, R., Kaminski, S., Walling, E., Zornik, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulating+the+activity+of+a+cardioacceleratory+peptide.">Regulating the activity of a cardioacceleratory peptide.</a> Peptides. 20, 1153-1158 (1999).</li><li>Ocorr, K., Akasaka, T., Bodmer, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Age-related+cardiac+disease+model+of+Drosophila.">Age-related cardiac disease model of Drosophila.</a> Mechanisms of Ageing and Development. 128, 112-116 (2007a).</li><li>Ocorr, K. A., Crawley, T., Gibson, G., Bodmer, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+variation+for+cardiac+dysfunction+in+Drosophila.">Genetic variation for cardiac dysfunction in Drosophila.</a> PLoS ONE. 2, e601-e601 (2007).</li><li>Papaefthmiou, C., Theophilidis, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+in+vitro+method+for+recording+the+electrical+activity+of+the+isolated+heart+of+the+adult+Drosophila+melanogaster.">An in vitro method for recording the electrical activity of the isolated heart of the adult Drosophila melanogaster.</a> In Vitro Cellular &#38; Developmental Biol. Animal. 37, 445-449 (2001).</li><li>Peron, S., Zordan, M. A., Magnabosco, A., Reggiani, C., Megighian, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=From+action+potential+to+contraction:+Neural+control+and+excitation-contraction+coupling+in+larval+muscles+of+Drosophila.">From action potential to contraction: Neural control and excitation-contraction coupling in larval muscles of Drosophila.</a> Comp. Biochem.Physiol. A: Molecular &#38; Integrative Physiol. 154, 173-183 (2009).</li><li>Ponzielli, R., Astier, M., Chartier, A., Gallet, A., Therond, P., Semeriva, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heart+tube+patterning+in+Drosophila+requires+integration+of+axial+and+segmental+information+provided+by+the+Bithorax+Complex+genes+and+hedgehog+signaling.">Heart tube patterning in Drosophila requires integration of axial and segmental information provided by the Bithorax Complex genes and hedgehog signaling.</a> Develop. 129, 4509-4521 (2002).</li><li>Sl ma, K., Farkas, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heartbeat+patterns+during+the+postembryonic+development+of+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Heartbeat patterns during the postembryonic development of Drosophila melanogaster.</a> J. Insect Physiol. 51, 489-503 (2005).</li><li>St hmer, W., Roberts, W. S., Almers, W., Sakmann, B., Neher, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Single channel recordings. The loose patch clamp, 123-132 (1983).</li><li>Wessells, R. J., Bodmer, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Screening+assays+for+heart+function+mutants+in+Drosophila.">Screening assays for heart function mutants in Drosophila.</a> Biotechniques. 37, 58-66 (2004).</li><li>Zornik, E., Paisley, K., Nichols, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+transmitters+and+a+peptide+modulate+Drosophila+heart+rate.">Neural transmitters and a peptide modulate Drosophila heart rate.</a> Peptides. 20, 45-51 (1999).</li></ol>

<ol><li> Dissection-Tools: Fine Nr. 5 Pinzette und einer feinen Schere (alle von Fine Science Tools (USA), Inc., 373-G Vintage Park Drive, Foster City, CA 94404-1139 erhalten) </li><li> Präpariermikroskop mit Zoom-Funktion für die Präparation und das Zählen der Herzfrequenz. Für fokale Stimulation des Herzens ist dies auch notwendig. </li><li> Für extra-und intrazellulären Aufnahmen ein zusammengesetztes Mikroskop mit aufrechten Ziele (4 x und 20x) verwendet wird. Standard intrazellulären Verstärker und A / D-Karte für Online-Aufzeichnung auf einem Computer. Elektrische Signale werden auf Linie zu einem PowerLab/4s Schnittstelle (ADInstruments, Australien) aufgezeichnet. Wir verwenden Standard-Software von ADInstruments namens Chart-oder Scope. </li><li> Chemikalien: Alle Kochsalzlösung Chemikalien von Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, MO) erhalten. </li><li> Für intrazelluläre Ableitungen verwenden wir Glaskapillare Schlauch (Katalog # 30-31-0 von FHC, Brunswick, ME, 04011, USA) und für fokale macropatch Aufnahme und stimulierenden Elektroden verwenden wir Kimax-51, Kimble Products Kunst. Nr. 34502, ID 0,8-1.1mm, Länge 100mm. Die intrazelluläre Elektrode sollte einen Widerstand von 20 bis 30 mOhm. Die macropatch Elektrode wird durch den Abbruch der Spitze des Glases nach einer feinen Spitze von einer Elektrode Abzieher gemacht wurde gebaut. Die abgebrochene Spitze braucht, um eine saubere senkrecht zu brechen etwa 20 um im Durchmesser. Die Spitze wird dann Wärme poliert, um etwa 10 &amp;mgr; m Innendurchmesser für den Schwerpunkt extrazellulären Aufnahme. Für die Stimulationselektrode das Herz-Laufwerk verwenden wir eine abschließende Spitze der etwa 20-50 m im Durchmesser. Der Schaft der Elektrode ist über ein Heizelement ausführen, um dazu führen, dass etwa 45 Grad mit einer allmählichen Kurve biegen. Dadurch entsteht eine ebene oder senkrecht Elektrode Lumen über dem Herzen Rohr als der Winkel mit dem Mikro-Manipulator wird über weitere 45 Grad auf die Vorbereitung zu produzieren. </li></ol>

monitoring heart function in larval drosophila melanogaster for physiological studies

Wir präsentieren verschiedene Methoden, um die Herzfunktion in der Larven-Rekord<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt;. Die Ansätze ermöglichen Herzfrequenz in hemmungsloser und zurückhaltend ganze Larven gemessen werden. Für die direkte Kontrolle über die Umgebung rund um das Herz anderer Ansatz nutzt die zergliedert Larven und Entfernung der inneren Organe, um die Herzen in der gewünschten Verbindungen zu baden. Die freiliegenden Herzen ermöglicht auch Membranpotentiale zu überwachenden welche Einblick in die Ionenströme durch die Myozyten und zur elektrischen Leitung entlang der Herzen Röhre erzeugt geben. Diese Ansätze haben verschiedene Vor-und Nachteile für zukünftige Experimente, die diskutiert werden. Die Larven Herzen Vorbereitung bietet ein zusätzliches Modell neben der<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Skelett NMJ zu untersuchen, die Rolle der intrazellulären Calcium-Regulation der zellulären Funktion. Lernen Sie mehr über die zugrunde liegenden Ionenströme, dass die Aktionspotentiale Form in Myozyten in verschiedenen Arten, kann man hoffen, einen Griff an der bekannten ionischen Störungen verbunden, um spezifische Gene, die für verschiedene Krankheiten bei Säugetieren erhalten.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Monitoring Heart Function in Larval Drosophila melanogaster for Physiological Studies at JoVE.com

Monitoring Heart Function in Larval Drosophila melanogaster for Physiological Studies

Wir präsentieren verschiedene Wege, um die Herzfunktion in der Larve des Monitors<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; Für die Beurteilung der Fragen, die sich mit der Funktion von Gap Junctions, Ionenkanal-Mutationen, Modulation der Schrittmacher-Aktivität und pharmakologischen Studien.

Überwachung Herzfunktion Larven Drosophila melanogaster Für physiologische Untersuchungen

We present various methods to record cardiac function in the larval Drosophila. The approaches allow heart rate to be measured in unrestrained  and  ...

monitoring-heart-function-larval-drosophila-melanogaster-for

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Monitoring Heart Function in Larval Drosophila melanogaster for Physiological Studies

18.7K Aufrufe.  University of Kentucky, Lexington. Wir präsentieren verschiedene Wege, um die Herzfunktion in der Larve des Monitors Drosophila Für die Beurteilung der Fragen, die sich mit der Funktion von Gap Junctions, Ionenkanal-Mutationen, Modulation der Schrittmacher-Aktivität und pharmakologischen Studien.

Serie: Monitoring Heart Function in Larval Drosophila melanogaster for Physiological Studies

Dissection of Larval CNS in Drosophila Melanogaster

The central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila larvae is complex and poorly understood.  One way to investigate the CNS is to use immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of various novel and marker proteins.  Staining of whole larvae is impractical because the tough cuticle prevents antibodies from penetrating inside the body cavity.  In order to stain these tissues it is necessary to dissect the animal prior to fixing and staining.  In this article we demonstrate how to dissect Drosophila larvae without damaging the CNS.  Begin by tearing the larva in half with a pair of fine forceps, and then turn the cuticle "inside-out" to expose the CNS.  If the dissection is performed carefully the CNS will remain attached to the cuticle.  We usually keep the CNS attached to the cuticle throughout the fixation and staining steps, and only completely remove the CNS from the cuticle just prior to mounting the samples on glass slides.  We also show some representative images of a larval CNS stained with Eve, a transcription factor expressed in a subset of neurons in the CNS.  The article concludes with a discussion of some of the practical uses of this technique and the potential difficulties that may arise.

In this article we demonstrate how to dissect the central nervous system from third instar Drosophila larvae.

Dissection der Larven ZNS von Drosophila melanogaster

The central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila larvae is complex and poorly understood.  One way to investigate the CNS is to use immunohistochemistry to ...

Forschung

Biologie

High-Resolution Video Tracking of Locomotion in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster

Flies provide an important model for studying complex behavior due to the plethora of genetic tools available to researchers in this field. Studying locomotor behavior in Drosophila melanogaster relies on the ability to be able to quantify changes in motion during or in response to a given task. For this reason, a high-resolution video tracking system, such as the one we describe in this paper, is a valuable tool for measuring locomotion in real-time. Our protocol involves the use of an initial air pulse to break the flies momentum, followed by a thirty second filming period in a square chamber. A tracking program is then used to calculate the instantaneous speed of each fly within the chamber in 10 msec increments. Analysis software then compiles this data, and outputs a variety of parameters such as average speed, max speed, time spent in motion, acceleration, etc. This protocol will discuss proper feeding and management of flies for behavioral tasks, handling flies without anesthetization or immobilization, setting up a controlled environment, and running the assay from start to finish.

The study of complex locomotor behavior in Drosophila melanogaster is dependent upon the ability to quantify changes in a given fly's movement. This article demonstrates how to do this using a high-resolution tracking system.

Hochauflösendes Video Tracking von Locomotion in Adult Drosophila melanogaster

Flies provide an important model for studying complex behavior due to the plethora of genetic tools available to researchers in this field.  Studying ...

Drosophila Larval NMJ Dissection

The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an established model system used for the study of synaptic development and plasticity. The widespread use of the Drosophila motor system is due to its high accessibility. It can be analyzed with single-cell resolution. There are 30 muscles per hemisegment whose arrangement within the peripheral body wall are known. A total of 35 motor neurons attach to these muscles in a pattern that has high fidelity. Using molecular biology and genetics, one can create transgenic animals or mutants. Then, one can study the developmental consequences on the morphology and function of the NMJ. In order to access the NMJ for study, it is necessary to carefully dissect each larva. In this article we demonstrate how to properly dissect Drosophila larvae for study of the NMJ by removing all internal organs while leaving the body wall intact. This technique is suitable to prepare larvae for imaging, immunohistochemistry, or electrophysiology.

This protocol demonstrates how to dissect Drosophila larvae in preparation for immunohistochemistry and/or imaging of the neuromuscular junction.

Drosophila Larven NMJ Dissection

The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an established model system used for the study of synaptic development and plasticity. The widespread use ...

Drosophila Larval NMJ Immunohistochemistry

The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an established model system used for the study of synaptic development and plasticity. The widespread use of the Drosophila motor system is due to its high accessibility. It can be analyzed with single-cell resolution. There are 30 muscles per hemisegment whose arrangement within the peripheral body wall are known. A total of 31 motor neurons attach to these muscles in a pattern that has high fidelity. Using molecular biology and genetics, one can create transgenic animals or mutants. Then, one can study the developmental consequences on the morphology and function of the NMJ. Immunohistochemistry can be used to clearly image the components of the NMJ. In this article, we demonstrate how to use antibody staining to visualize the Drosophila larval NMJ.

Drosophila Larval NMJ Immunohistochemistry

This protocol demonstrates how to perform immunohistochemistry on dissected Drosophila larva.

Drosophila Larven NMJ Immunhistochemie

Visually Mediated Odor Tracking During Flight in Drosophila

Flying insects use visual cues to stabilize their heading in a wind stream. Many animals additionally track odors carried in the wind. As such, visual stabilization of upwind tracking directly aids in odor tracking. But do olfactory signals directly influence visual tracking behavior independently from wind cues? Additionally, recent advances in olfactory molecular genetics and neurophysiology have motivated novel quantitative behavioral analyses to assess the behavioral influence of (e.g.) genetically inactivating specific olfactory activation circuits. We modified a magnetic tether system originally devised for vision experiments by equipping the arena with narrow laminar flow odor plumes. Here we focus on experiments that can be performed after a fly is tethered and is able to navigate in the magnetic arena. We show how to acquire video images optimized for measuring body angle, how to judge stable odor tracking, and we illustrate two experiments to examine the influence of visual cues on odor tracking.

Here we describe how to optimize the acquired video image for an olfactory magnetic-tether (OMT) apparatus. We also describe two sample experimental protocols for studying visuo-olfactory fusion.

Visuell vermittelte Odor-Tracking während des Fluges in Drosophila

Flying insects use visual cues to stabilize their heading in a wind stream. Many animals additionally track odors carried in the wind. As such, visual ...

Visualizing the Beating Heart in Drosophila

The Drosophila heart has recently emerged as a good model system for examining the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms underlying function in myogenic hearts. A key step in examining heart function in the fly is finding a way to access the heart in a manner that preserves its myogenic function while still allowing the beating heart organ to be observed and recorded. Two different methods for observing and recording the beating heart in both larva and adult Drosophila are described here. Our semi-intact preparation using adult flies allows clear visualization of the abdominal heart without interference from the pigmented cuticle and overlying fat bodies. To record larval heart beats it is necessary to immobilize the larva, which minimizes body wall movements thereby reducing heart movements that are not associated with myocardial contractions. Our methodologies produce stable adult and larval heart preparations that can beat for hours at rates of 1-3 Hz.

Visualizing the Beating Heart in Drosophila

Technique required for visualizing the beating heart in larval and adult Drosophila are presented. Each life stage requires a different methodology.

Visualisierung des schlagenden Herzens in Drosophila</em

The Drosophila heart has recently emerged as a good model system for examining the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms underlying function in ...

Preparation of embryos for Electron Microscopy of the Drosophila embryonic heart tube

The morphogenesis of the Drosophila embryonic heart tube has emerged as a valuable model system for studying cell migration, cell-cell adhesion and cell shape changes during embryonic development. One of the challenges faced in studying this structure is that the lumen of the heart tube, as well as the membrane features that are crucial to heart tube formation, are difficult to visualize in whole mount embryos, due to the small size of the heart tube and intra-lumenal space relative to the embryo. The use of transmission electron microscopy allows for higher magnification of these structures and gives the advantage of examining the embryos in cross section, which easily reveals the size and shape of the lumen. In this video, we detail the process for reliable fixation, embedding, and sectioning of late stage Drosophila embryos in order to visualize the heart tube lumen as well as important cellular structures including cell-cell junctions and the basement membrane.

Preparation of embryos for Electron Microscopy of the Drosophila embryonic heart tube

We describe a process for fixation, embedding, sectioning, and imaging of late stage Drosophila embryos for Trasmission Electron Microscopy of the embryonic heart tube. This technique allows for the visualization of the heart tube lumen as well as the basement membrane, which lines the lumen of the heart.

Vorbereitung der Embryonen für Elektronenmikroskopie der Drosophila Embryonale Herz Rohr

The morphogenesis of the Drosophila  embryonic heart tube has emerged as a valuable model system for studying cell migration, cell-cell adhesion and cell ...

Heart Dissection in Larval, Juvenile and Adult Zebrafish, Danio rerio

Zebrafish have become a beneficial and practical model organism for the study of embryonic heart development (see recent reviews1-6), however, work examining post-embryonic through adult cardiac development has been limited7-10. Examining the changing morphology of the maturing and aging heart are restricted by the lack of techniques available for staging and isolating juvenile and adult hearts. In order to analyze heart development over the fish's lifespan, we dissect zebrafish hearts at numerous stages and photograph them for further analysis11. The morphological features of the heart can easily be quantified and individual hearts can be further analyzed by a host of standard methods. Zebrafish grow at variable rates and maturation correlates better with fish size than age, thus, post-fixation, we photograph and measure fish length as a gauge of fish maturation. This protocol explains two distinct, size dependent dissection techniques for zebrafish, ranging from larvae 3.5mm standard length (SL) with hearts of 100&mu;m ventricle length (VL), to adults, with SL of 30mm and VL 1mm or larger. Larval and adult fish have quite distinct body and organ morphology. Larvae are not only significantly smaller, they have less pigment and each organ is visually very difficult to identify. For this reason, we use distinct dissection techniques.
We used pre-dissection fixation procedures, as we discovered that hearts dissected directly after euthanization have a more variable morphology, with very loose and balloon like atria compared with hearts removed following fixation. The fish fixed prior to dissection, retain in vivo morphology and chamber position (data not shown). In addition, for demonstration purposes, we take advantage of the heart (myocardial) specific GFP transgenic Tg(myl7:GFP)twu34 (12), which allows us to visualize the entire heart and is particularly useful at early stages in development when the cardiac morphology is less distinct from surrounding tissues. Dissection of the heart makes further analysis of the cell and molecular biology underlying heart development and maturation using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, RNA extraction or other analytical methods easier in post-embryonic zebrafish. This protocol will provide a valuable technique for the study of cardiac development maturation and aging.

Heart Dissection in Larval, Juvenile and Adult Zebrafish, Danio rerio

A clear, standardized method for dissection and isolation of the zebrafish heart at multiple developmental stages are described. Annotation and quantification techniques are also discussed.

Herz Dissection in Larven, juvenile und adulte Zebrafisch, Danio rerio</em

Zebrafish have become a beneficial and practical model organism for the study of embryonic heart development (see recent reviews1-6), however, work ...

Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Aging is a phenomenon that results in steady physiological deterioration in nearly all organisms in which it has been examined, leading to reduced physical performance and increased risk of disease. Individual aging is manifest at the population level as an increase in age-dependent mortality, which is often measured in the laboratory by observing lifespan in large cohorts of age-matched individuals. Experiments that seek to quantify the extent to which genetic or environmental manipulations impact lifespan in simple model organisms have been remarkably successful for understanding the aspects of aging that are conserved across taxa and for inspiring new strategies for extending lifespan and preventing age-associated disease in mammals.
The vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is an attractive model organism for studying the mechanisms of aging due to its relatively short lifespan, convenient husbandry, and facile genetics. However, demographic measures of aging, including age-specific survival and mortality, are extraordinarily susceptible to even minor variations in experimental design and environment, and the maintenance of strict laboratory practices for the duration of aging experiments is required. These considerations, together with the need to practice careful control of genetic background, are essential for generating robust measurements. Indeed, there are many notable controversies surrounding inference from longevity experiments in yeast, worms, flies and mice that have been traced to environmental or genetic artifacts1-4. In this protocol, we describe a set of procedures that have been optimized over many years of measuring longevity in Drosophila using laboratory vials. We also describe the use of the dLife software, which was developed by our laboratory and is available for download (<a href="http://sitemaker.umich.edu/pletcherlab/software">http://sitemaker.umich.edu/pletcherlab/software</a>). dLife accelerates throughput and promotes good practices by incorporating optimal experimental design, simplifying fly handling and data collection, and standardizing data analysis. We will also discuss the many potential pitfalls in the design, collection, and interpretation of lifespan data, and we provide steps to avoid these dangers.

Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model organism for exploring the molecular basis of longevity regulation. This protocol will discuss the steps involved in generating a reproducible, population-based measurement of longevity as well as potential pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Messung der Lebensdauer in<em&gt; Drosophila melanogaster</em

Aging is a phenomenon that results in steady physiological deterioration in nearly all organisms in which it has been examined, leading to reduced ...

Drosophila Preparation and Longitudinal Imaging of Heart Function In Vivo Using Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM)

Longitudinal study of the heartbeat in small animals contributes to understanding structural and functional changes during heart development. Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) has been demonstrated to be capable of imaging small animal hearts with high spatial resolution and ultrahigh imaging speed. The high image contrast and noninvasive properties make OCM ideal for performing longitudinal studies without requiring tissue dissections or staining. Drosophila has been widely used as a model organism in cardiac developmental studies due to its high number of orthologous human disease genes, its similarity of molecular mechanisms and genetic pathways with vertebrates, its short life cycle, and its low culture cost. Here, the experimental protocols are described for the preparation of Drosophila and optical imaging of the heartbeat with a custom OCM system throughout the life cycle of the specimen. By following the steps provided in this report, transverse M-mode and 3D OCM images can be acquired to conduct longitudinal studies of the Drosophila cardiac morphology and function. The en face and axial sectional OCM images and the heart rate (HR) and cardiac activity period (CAP) histograms, were also shown to analyze the heart structural changes and to quantify the heart dynamics during Drosophila metamorphosis, combined with the videos constructed with M-mode images to trace cardiac activity intuitively. Due to the genetic similarity between Drosophila and vertebrates, longitudinal study of heart morphology and dynamics in fruit flies could help reveal the origins of human heart diseases. The protocol here would provide an effective method to perform a wide range of studies to understand the mechanisms of cardiac diseases in humans.

Drosophila Preparation and Longitudinal Imaging of Heart Function In Vivo Using Optical Coherence Microscopy OCM

Here, the experimental protocols are described for preparing Drosophila at different developmental stages and performing longitudinal optical imaging of Drosophila heartbeats using a custom optical coherence microscopy (OCM) system. The cardiac morphological and dynamical changes can be quantitatively characterized by analyzing the heart structural and functional parameters from OCM images.

Drosophila Vorbereitung und Longitudinal Imaging der Herzfunktion in vivo unter Verwendung optischer Kohärenzmikroskopie (OCM)

Longitudinal study of the heartbeat in small animals contributes to understanding structural and functional changes during heart development. Optical ...