Questo lavoro è stato sostenuto in parte dal National Institutes of Health Grants HL-085887, HL-092992, S10RR027535, e MOP-93676.

1. Dissezione della nave e Imaging <ol><li> Tessuto raccolto da suini giovanili nazionali, come descritto nella Martens et al 27. Posizionare raccolte ventricoli destro suina in un polidimetilsilossano (PDMS) piatto dissezione fondo contenente HEPES tamponata soluzione fisiologica (PSS). <ol><li> Con l&#39;ausilio di uno stereomicroscopio, sezionare e rimuovere un segmento discendente anteriore dell&#39;arteria coronaria (~ lunghezza 8 mm, diametro 0,5 mm) dal tessuto circostante con pinze e forbici molla rimuovendo il segmento del vaso dalle circostanti strati di tessuto cardiaco. NOTA: Fare attenzione a non forare la parete del serbatoio. </li><li> Collocare un blocco PDMS (1 x 0,5 x 0,5 cm) nel piatto dissezione, e utilizzare un ago al pin al fondo. Tagliare un filo di tungsteno di circa 40 micron di diametro in dodici ~ segmenti di lunghezza 0,3 centimetri, formando micropins, e inserire questi nel piatto. Utilizzando pinze, fissare una estremità del segmento del vaso al blocco con un MICROPIn. </li><li> Inserire con cautela piccole forbici primavera nel lume del vaso, e tagliare longitudinalmente su un lato della nave per aprirlo completamente. Orientare il segmento di vaso aperto con l&#39;endotelio alto. </li><li> Utilizzare i restanti micropins per fissare i confini del segmento del vaso aperto per bloccare tale che la nave si forma un rettangolo piatto. NOTA: piani MicroPin devono essere piegate a 90 ° e inseriti a filo con la superficie del blocco. Si deve prestare attenzione per allungare la preparazione natante senza pressioni eccessive; larghezza finale dovrebbe essere ~ 1.5X la larghezza di partenza non deformato. </li><li> Preparare un piccolo volume (~ 1 ml) di Fluo-4 soluzione AM loading mescolando Fluo-4 AM (10 mM) disciolto in DMSO con Pluronic (0,03%) in un tamponata con HEPES PSS (contenente in mM: 134 NaCl, KCl 6 , 1 MgCl, 10, 10 HEPES glucosio), e inserire l&#39;intero blocco nella soluzione di carico per circa 40 minuti a temperatura ambiente al buio. </li><li> Dopo il caricamento, lavare il blocco in HEPES bufferizzatiPSS per 5-10 min. </li><li> Montare il blocco sul 50-100 micron distanziali di spessore in una camera inferiore coprioggetti contenente HEPES tamponata PSS. NOTA: perni metallici possono essere usati come distanziatori e garantiscono il segmento del vaso è rivolta verso il basso e non toccare i distanziali. </li><li> Posizionare la camera sul palcoscenico di un microscopio invertito attrezzato per l&#39;imaging confocale, e concentrarsi sul livello delle cellule endoteliali. </li><li> Sequenze di immagini lasso di tempo la cattura di basale fluorescenza relativa per ~ 3 min a 20X di ingrandimento e un frame rate di ~ 8 fotogrammi al secondo con immagine confocale software sequenza di acquisizione. </li><li> Dopo circa 3 minuti di registrazione fluorescenza basale, sostituire HEPES soluzione tamponata PSS con lo stesso volume (~ 1 ml) di sostanza P (100 pM) disciolto in tampone HEPES PSS, e record per un supplementare 3 min. </li></ol></li></ol> 2. Analisi automatizzata <ol><li> Render sequenza di immagini (s) di attività del calcio fluorescente da software di acquisizione confocale come 8 bit, g&#39;. tif&#39; files rayscale formato senza informazioni di scala. </li><li> Aperto ImageJ, clicca su &#39;aperto&#39; nel menu File, e selezionare la sequenza di immagini appropriato nella finestra di Explorer per visualizzare la sequenza di immagini (s) in ImageJ. </li><li> Determinare un diametro ROI appropriato utilizzando lo strumento ROI rettangolare per stimare i limiti superiori e inferiori della distribuzione spaziale di attività all&#39;interno della sequenza di immagini (s). NOTA: Il diametro rettangolare media è una scelta adatta per diametro ROI. </li><li> Creare una nuova cartella sul disco rigido del computer, e aggiungere la sequenza di immagini (s) nella directory della cartella. </li><li> In ImageJ, fare clic su finestra &quot;plugins&quot;, quindi fare clic su &#39;LC_Pro&#39; per avviare l&#39;analisi. </li><li> Inserire il valore del diametro ROI e selezionare il valore di soglia del filtro (sia 0.05 o 0.01). </li><li> Fare clic sulla casella di controllo &#39;di trattamento della droga&#39; e inserire i valori del punto di tempo immediatamente prima e dopo l&#39;aggiunta del farmaco (in secondi). </li><li> Fare clic su &#39;ok&#39;, einserire la directory sequenza di immagini nella finestra di file explorer. </li></ol> 3. Uscita grafica <ol><li> Scarica R versione 3.0.2 da <a href="http://www.r-project.org/">http://www.r-project.org/</a> . </li><li> Aprire la versione a 32 bit di R. </li><li> Fare clic su &quot;file&quot;, quindi &#39;script open&#39; e selezionare script &#39;traceplot.R&#39; R per la generazione di report grafici sperimentali. </li><li> Installare la calibrazione, e gplots pacchetti tramite la scelta &quot;pacchetti&quot;, &#39;installare i pacchetti &quot;, e selezionando i pacchetti giustificativo utile. </li><li> Fare clic su &#39;file&#39;, poi &#39;change directory&#39; comando, e utilizzare la finestra di esplorazione per selezionare la directory che corrisponde all&#39;uscita analisi LC_Pro. </li><li> Cliccate sulla finestra dello script e poi il &#39;eseguire tutti&#39; comando per eseguire lo script. </li></ol>

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Decodifica complessi Ca 2 + segnali a livello cellulare e multicellulare richiederà approcci sperimentali e analitici rigorosi. Qui, un approccio è descritto in cui il tempo risolti sequenze di immagini confocale di Ca 2 + fluorescenza dipendenti sono sottoposti ad una analisi automatizzata che identifica e quantifica statisticamente rilevanti Ca 2 + segnali all&#39;interno di campi di cellulari intatti nel caso specifico presentato, un segmento di arteria è stata isolata dal cuore di...

Ca 2 + è un secondo messaggero onnipresente molecola di segnalazione e Ca 2 + citosolico livelli sono altamente regolamentati. Intracellulare di Ca 2 + segnali sono complesse e includono transitori isolate, oscillazioni e moltiplicazione onde 1-4. Controllo spaziale e temporale di Ca 2 + è pensato per essere alla base fisiologica specificità del segnale, e quindi l&#39;analisi di Ca 2 + modelli di segnale è di notevole interesse per gli investigatori in più campi 5. Coloranti Ca 2 + indicatore come Fluo-4 e Fura-2 sono comunemente impiegati per misurare Ca2 + intracellulare segnali con fluorescenza microscopia 5-12. Tipicamente, temporali Ca 2 + segnali vengono valutati come cambia il tempo-dipendenti medio di fluorescenza all&#39;interno di un&#39;area definita dall&#39;utente, o regione di interesse (ROI) 5,6,13 - 16. Attualmente, analisi del ROI manuale sia in termini di tempo e di lavoro intensiva perché richiede agli utenti di identificare molti ROI ed eseguire calcoli ripetitivi 17 - 19. Queste tecniche possono essere soggette a notevoli errori degli utenti, compresa l&#39;introduzione di modalità di segnali artificiali e l&#39;esclusione di segnali diffusi 18,20 bassa ampiezza o. Algoritmi di rilevamento ROI automatizzati sono stati precedentemente implementato utilizzando una varietà di approcci statistici per determinare il posizionamento ottimale ROI, ma sono stati generalmente limitata all&#39;analisi della scansione linea o pseudo-line immagini di scansione, che limita l&#39;analisi ad una sola dimensione spaziale nel tempo 17, 19-22. Inoltre, molti algoritmi esistenti non sono sufficienti per comprendere la diversità di Ca 2 + eventi di rilascio che vanno da periodici, transitori localizzati di onde che si propagano 23,24. Valutazione complessiva delle fisiologiche Ca 2 + segnali è spesso ulteriormente complicata dalla presenza di una significativa artif immagineatto che confonde il segnale alla discriminazione rumore in molti sistemi sperimentali. In precedenza, una soluzione algoritmo di rilevamento ROI automatizzato per Ca 2 + segnale di rilevamento transitorio, implementato come plugin per il software NIH ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD), è stato sviluppato e convalidato 25,26. Questo algoritmo, chiamato LC_Pro, è stato progettato per identificare e analizzare ROI comprende Ca 2 + transitori di segnale bidimensionali time lapse sequenze di immagini. Qui un protocollo sperimentale e dimostrazione pratica rappresentativo di una applicazione dell&#39;algoritmo in porcino coronarico endotelio è fornito, con postprocessing aggiuntiva utilizzando l&#39;open source software di elaborazione statistica R per generare output grafico utilizzabile.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="573">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">dissection dish</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fisher Sci</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#08-772-70</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fisher Sci</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#NC9644388</td>
			<td>elastomer kit, must be molded into dishes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">HEPES-buffered PSS</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#H3375-250G</td>
			<td>HEPES acid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">stereomicroscope</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Nikon Inst.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#MNA42000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">forceps</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#11223-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">spring scissors</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15003-08</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">tungsten wire</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Scientific Inst Svcs</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#406</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Fluo-4 AM</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Life Tech.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#F-14201</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">pluronic F-127</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Life Tech.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#P3000MP</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">metal pins</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">#26002-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">cover-glass bottom chamber</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Custom designed</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">spinning disc confocal microscope</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Perkin Elmer</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">RS-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">imageJ software</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td><a href="http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/download.html">download at: http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/download.html</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">LC_Pro plugin for imageJ</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td><a href="http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/plugins/lc-pro/index.html">download at: http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/plugins/lc-pro/index.html</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">R software</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td><a href="http://www.r-project.org/">download at: http://www.r-project.org/</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">R traceplot script</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td><a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-PSp1D9e2fjV3NIcGppUzkxdEk/edit?usp=sharing">download at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-PSp1D9e2fjV3NIcGppUzkxdEk/edit?usp=sharing</a></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
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automated analysis of dynamic ca2+ signals in image sequences

Intracellulare di Ca 2 + segnali sono comunemente studiate con coloranti fluorescenti Ca 2 + indicatore e le tecniche di microscopia. Tuttavia, l&#39;analisi quantitativa di Ca 2 + dati di imaging è in termini di tempo e soggetto a bias. Automatizzati algoritmi di analisi del segnale in base alla regione di interesse (ROI) rilevazione sono state implementate per scansione misurazioni linea unidimensionale, ma non esiste alcun algoritmo corrente che integra identificazione ottimizzata e analisi di ROI in sequenze di immagini bidimensionali. Qui un algoritmo per acquisizione rapida e analisi di ROI in sequenze di immagini è descritto. Utilizza ellissi adattano ai segnali filtrati rumore per determinare il posizionamento ottimale ROI, e calcola i parametri del segnale Ca 2 + di ampiezza, durata e distribuzione spaziale. Questo algoritmo è stato implementato come plugin liberamente disponibile per ImageJ (NIH) software. Insieme con gli script di analisi scritti per l&#39;open source software di elaborazione statistica R,questo approccio fornisce una pipeline ad alta capacità per l&#39;esecuzione di analisi statistiche rapida della produzione sperimentale. Gli autori suggeriscono che l&#39;uso di questo protocollo di analisi porterà ad una caratterizzazione più completa e imparziale di fisiologica Ca 2 + segnalazione.

Un algoritmo personalizzato, LC_Pro, è stato sviluppato e realizzato al fine di effettuare l&#39;analisi automatizzata di Ca 2 + dinamiche su sequenze di immagini confocale. Come illustrato nella figura 1, l&#39;algoritmo utilizza moduli di elaborazione sequenziale a) individuare e siti di traiettoria dinamica Ca 2 + cambiare sopra statistico (p &lt;0.01) rumore, B) definire le regioni di interesse (ROI) automaticamente ai centri sito attivo, e C) il calcolo dell&#39;intensità me...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Automated Analysis of Dynamic Ca2+ Signals in Image Sequences at JoVE.com

Automated Analysis of Dynamic Ca2+ Signals in Image Sequences

Qui una regione romanzo di interesse protocollo di analisi basato su ordinamento ellissi best-fit assegnati a regioni di segnale positivo nel tempo bidimensionale sequenze di immagini decadenza è dimostrata. Questo algoritmo può consentire ai ricercatori di analizzare globalmente segnali fisiologici Ca 2 + con l&#39;input minimo da parte dell&#39;utente e pregiudizi.

Analisi automatizzata del Dynamic Ca<sup&gt; 2 +</sup&gt; Segnali in sequenze di immagini

Intracellular Ca2+ signals are commonly studied with fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dyes and microscopy techniques. However, quantitative analysis of Ca2+ ...

automated-analysis-of-dynamic-ca2-signals-in-image-sequences

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Automated Analysis of Dynamic Ca2+ Signals in Image Sequences

17.0K Views.  University of South Alabama.  Qui una regione romanzo di interesse protocollo di analisi basato su ordinamento ellissi best-fit assegnati a regioni di segnale positivo nel tempo bidimensionale sequenze di immagini decadenza è dimostrata. Questo algoritmo può consentire ai ricercatori di analizzare globalmente segnali fisiologici Ca 2 + con l'input minimo da parte dell'utente e pregiudizi. 

Video: Automated Analysis of Dynamic Ca2+ Signals in Image Sequences

Application of Light-cured Dental Adhesive Resin for Mounting Electrodes or Microdialysis Probes in Chronic Experiments

In chronic recording experiments, self-curing dental acrylic resins have been used as a mounting base of electrodes or microdialysis-probes. Since these acrylics do not bond to the bone, screws have been used as anchors. However, in small experimental animals like finches or mouse, their craniums are very fragile and can not successfully hold the anchors. In this report, we propose a new application of light-curing dental resins for mounting base of electrodes or microdialysis probes in chronic experiments. This material allows direct bonding to the cranium. Therefore, anchor screws are not required and surgical field can be reduced considerably. Past experiences show that the bonding effect maintains more than 2 months. Conventional resin's window of time when the materials are pliable and workable is a few minutes. However, the window of working time for these dental adhesives is significantly wider and adjustable.

In this report, we propose a new application of light-curing dental resins for mounting base of electrodes or microdialysis probes in chronic experiments. This material allows direct bonding to the cranium.

Applicazione della Luce cured resina adesiva dentale per montaggio elettrodi o sonde Microdialisi negli esperimenti cronica

In chronic recording experiments, self-curing dental acrylic resins have been used as a mounting base of electrodes or microdialysis-probes. Since these ...

Ricerca

Biologia

Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis of Small Hearts

We have developed a method for analyzing high speed optical recordings from Drosophila, zebrafish and embryonic mouse hearts (Fink, et. al., 2009). Our Semi-automatic Optical Heartbeat Analysis (SOHA) uses a novel movement detection algorithm that is able to detect cardiac movements associated with individual contractile and relaxation events. The program provides a host of physiologically relevant readouts including systolic and diastolic intervals, heart rate, as well as qualitative and quantitative measures of heartbeat arrhythmicity. The program also calculates heart diameter measurements during both diastole and systole from which fractional shortening and fractional area changes are calculated. Output is provided as a digital file compatible with most spreadsheet programs. Measurements are made for every heartbeat in a record increasing the statistical power of the output. We demonstrate each of the steps where user input is required and show the application of our methodology to the analysis of heart function in all three genetically tractable heart models.

We have developed a Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis method (SOHA) for analyzing high speed optical recordings from Drosophila, zebrafish and embryonic mouse hearts. We demonstrate the application of our methodology to the analysis of heart function in fruit fly and embryonic mouse hearts.

Semiautomatici Analisi Heartbeat ottica di piccoli cuori

We have developed a method for analyzing high speed optical recordings from Drosophila, zebrafish and embryonic mouse hearts (Fink, et. al., 2009). Our ...

Mosaic Zebrafish Transgenesis for Evaluating Enhancer Sequences

The completion of the human genome sequence, along with that of many other species, has highlighted the challenge of ascribing specific function to non coding sequences. One prominent function carried out by the non coding fraction of the genome is to regulate gene transcription; however, there are no effective methods to broadly predict cis-regulatory elements from primary DNA sequence. We have developed an efficient protocol to functionally evaluate potential cis-regulatory elements through zebrafish transgenesis. Our approach offers significant advantages over cell-culture based techniques for developmentally important genes, since it provides information on spatial and temporal gene regulation. Conversely, it is faster and less expensive than similar experiments in transgenic mice, and we routinely apply it to sequences isolated from the human genome. Here we demonstrate our approach to selecting elements for testing based on sequence conservation and our protocol for cloning sequences and microinjecting them into zebrafish embryos.

We demonstrate our approach to finding potential enhancer elements from developmentally regulated genes and evaluating their function through mosaic zebrafish transgenesis.

Mosaico Transgenesi Zebrafish per la valutazione sequenze Enhancer

The completion of the human genome sequence, along with that of many other species, has highlighted the challenge of ascribing specific function to non ...

Robotics and Dynamic Image Analysis for Studies of Gene Expression in Plant Tissues

Gene expression in plant tissues is typically studied by destructive extraction of compounds from plant tissues for in vitro analyses. The methods presented here utilize the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene for continual monitoring of gene expression in the same pieces of tissues, over time. The gfp gene was placed under regulatory control of different promoters and introduced into lima bean cotyledonary tissues via particle bombardment. Cotyledons were then placed on a robotic image collection system, which consisted of a fluorescence dissecting microscope with a digital camera and a 2-dimensional robotics platform custom-designed to allow secure attachment of culture dishes. Images were collected from cotyledonary tissues every hour for 100 hours to generate expression profiles for each promoter. Each collected series of 100 images was first subjected to manual image alignment using ImageReady to make certain that GFP-expressing foci were consistently retained within selected fields of analysis. Specific regions of the series measuring 300 x 400 pixels, were then selected for further analysis to provide GFP Intensity measurements using ImageJ software. Batch images were separated into the red, green and blue channels and GFP-expressing areas were identified using the threshold feature of ImageJ. After subtracting the background fluorescence (subtraction of gray values of non-expressing pixels from every pixel) in the respective red and green channels, GFP intensity was calculated by multiplying the mean grayscale value per pixel by the total number of GFP-expressing pixels in each channel, and then adding those values for both the red and green channels. GFP Intensity values were collected for all 100 time points to yield expression profiles. Variations in GFP expression profiles resulted from differences in factors such as promoter strength, presence of a silencing suppressor, or nature of the promoter. In addition to quantification of GFP intensity, the image series were also used to generate time-lapse animations using ImageReady. Time-lapse animations revealed that the clear majority of cells displayed a relatively rapid increase in GFP expression, followed by a slow decline. Some cells occasionally displayed a sudden loss of fluorescence, which may be associated with rapid cell death. Apparent transport of GFP across the membrane and cell wall to adjacent cells was also observed. Time lapse animations provided additional information that could not otherwise be obtained using GFP Intensity profiles or single time point image collections.

We report a method for introduction, tracking and quantitative analysis of GFP expression in plant cells. This method utilizes a custom-designed robotics system for semi-continuous image collection from large numbers of samples, over time. We also demonstrate the use of ImageJ and ImageReady for analysis of image series.

Robotica e Image Analysis dinamica per gli Studi di espressione genica nei tessuti vegetali

Gene expression in plant tissues is typically studied by destructive extraction of compounds from plant tissues for in vitro analyses. The methods ...

Development of automated imaging and analysis for zebrafish chemical screens.

We demonstrate the application of image-based high-content screening (HCS) methodology to identify small molecules that can modulate the FGF/RAS/MAPK pathway in zebrafish embryos. The zebrafish embryo is an ideal system for in vivo high-content chemical screens. The 1-day old embryo is approximately 1mm in diameter and can be easily arrayed into 96-well plates, a standard format for high throughput screening. During the first day of development, embryos are transparent with most of the major organs present, thus enabling visualization of tissue formation during embryogenesis. The complete automation of zebrafish chemical screens is still a challenge, however, particularly in the development of automated image acquisition and analysis. We previously generated a transgenic reporter line that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of FGF activity and demonstrated their utility in chemical screens 1. To establish methodology for high throughput whole organism screens, we developed a system for automated imaging and analysis of zebrafish embryos at 24-48 hours post fertilization (hpf) in 96-well plates 2. In this video we highlight the procedures for arraying transgenic embryos into multiwell plates at 24hpf and the addition of a small molecule (BCI) that hyperactivates FGF signaling 3. The plates are incubated for 6 hours followed by the addition of tricaine to anesthetize larvae prior to automated imaging on a Molecular Devices ImageXpress Ultra laser scanning confocal HCS reader. Images are processed by Definiens Developer software using a Cognition Network Technology algorithm that we developed to detect and quantify expression of GFP in the heads of transgenic embryos. In this example we highlight the ability of the algorithm to measure dose-dependent effects of BCI on GFP reporter gene expression in treated embryos.

We report the development of a system for automated imaging and analysis of zebrafish transgenic embryos in multiwell plates. This demonstrates the ability to measure dose dependent effects of a small molecule, BCI, on Fibroblast Growth Factor reporter gene expression and provide technology for establishing high-throughput zebrafish chemical screens.

Sviluppo di imaging automatizzati e analisi chimiche per gli schermi zebrafish.

We demonstrate the application of image-based high-content screening (HCS) methodology to identify small molecules that can modulate the FGF/RAS/MAPK ...

Techniques for Imaging Ca2+ Signaling in Human Sperm

Fluorescence microscopy of cells loaded with fluorescent, Ca2+-sensitive dyes is used for measurement of spatial and temporal aspects of Ca2+ signaling in live cells. Here we describe the method used in our laboratories for loading suspensions of human sperm with Ca2+-reporting dyes and measuring the fluorescence signal during physiological stimulation. Motile cells are isolated by direct swim-up and incubated under capacitating conditions for 0-24 h, depending upon the experiment. The cell-permeant AM (acetoxy methyl ester) ester form of the Ca2+-reporting dye is then added to a cell aliquot and a period of 1 h is allowed for loading of the dye into the cytoplasm. We use visible wavelength dyes to minimize photo-damage to the cells, but this means that ratiometric recording is not possible. Advantages and disadvantages of this approach are discussed. During the loading period cells are introduced into an imaging chamber and allowed to adhere to a poly-D-lysine coated coverslip. At the end of the loading period excess dye and loose cells are removed by connection of the chamber to the perfusion apparatus. The chamber is perfused continuously, stimuli and modified salines are then added to the perfusion header. Experiments are recorded by time-lapse acquisition of fluorescence images and analyzed in detail offline, by manually drawing regions of interest. Data are normalized to pre-stimulus levels such that, for each cell (or part of a cell), a graph showing the Ca2+ response as % change in fluorescence is obtained.

Techniques for Imaging Ca2+ Signaling in Human Sperm

Stimulus-evoked [Ca2+]i signals of individual human sperm are assessed. Motile cells are loaded with Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye (AM-ester method) and immobilised in a perfusable chamber. Cells are imaged by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy and stimulated via the perfusing medium. Responses of single cells (or regions) are analysed offline using Excel.

Tecniche di Imaging Ca 2 + Segnalazione di sperma umano

Fluorescence microscopy of cells loaded with fluorescent, Ca2+-sensitive dyes is used for measurement of spatial and temporal aspects of Ca2+ signaling in ...

ReAsH/FlAsH Labeling and Image Analysis of Tetracysteine Sensor Proteins in Cells

Fluorescent proteins and dyes are essential tools for the study of protein trafficking, localization and function in cells. While fluorescent 
proteins such as green fluorescence protein (GFP) have been extensively used as fusion partners to proteins to track the properties of a protein of interest1, recent 
developments with smaller tags enable new functionalities of proteins to be examined in cells such as conformational change and protein-association 2, 3. One small 
tag system involves a tetracysteine motif (CCXXCC) genetically inserted into a target protein, which binds to biarsenical dyes, ReAsH (red fluorescent) and FlAsH 
(green fluorescent), with high specificity even in live cells 2. The TC/biarsenical dye system offers far less steric constraints to the host protein than 
fluorescent proteins which has enabled several new approaches to measure conformational change and protein-protein interactions 4-7. We recently developed 
a novel application of TC tags as sensors of oligomerization in cells expressing mutant huntingtin, which when mutated aggregates in neurons in Huntington 
disease 7. Huntingtin was tagged with two fluorescent dyes, one a fluorescent protein to track protein location, and the second a TC tag which only 
binds biarsenical dyes in monomers. Hence, changes in colocalization between protein and biarsenical dye reactivity enabled submicroscopic oligomer 
content to be spatially mapped within cells. Here, we describe how to label TC-tagged proteins fused to a fluorescent protein (Cherry, GFP or CFP) 
with FlAsH or ReAsH in live mammalian cells and how to quantify the two color fluorescence (Cherry/FlAsH, CFP/FlAsH or GFP/ReAsH combinations).

The biarsenical dyes FlAsH and ReAsH bind specifically to tetracysteine motifs in proteins and can selectively label proteins in live cells. Recently this labeling strategy has been used to develop sensors for different protein conformations or oligomeric states. We describe the labeling approach and methods to quantitatively analyze binding.

ReAsH / Flash Etichettatura e Image Analysis di proteine ​​sensore Tetracysteine ​​nelle celle

Fluorescent proteins and dyes are essential tools for the study of protein trafficking, localization and function in cells.  While fluorescent 
proteins ...

Measuring Spatial and Temporal Ca2+ Signals in Arabidopsis Plants

Developmental and environmental cues induce Ca2+ fluctuations in plant cells. Stimulus-specific spatial-temporal Ca2+ patterns are sensed by cellular Ca2+ binding proteins that initiate Ca2+ signaling cascades. However, we still know little about how stimulus specific Ca2+ signals are generated. The specificity of a Ca2+ signal may be attributed to the sophisticated regulation of the activities of Ca2+ channels and/or transporters in response to a given stimulus. To identify these cellular components and understand their functions, it is crucial to use systems that allow a sensitive and robust recording of Ca2+ signals at both the tissue and cellular levels. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators that are targeted to different cellular compartments have provided a platform for live cell confocal imaging of cellular Ca2+ signals. Here we describe instructions for the use of two Ca2+ detection systems: aequorin based FAS (film adhesive seedlings) luminescence Ca2+ imaging and case12 based live cell confocal fluorescence Ca2+ imaging. Luminescence imaging using the FAS system provides a simple, robust and sensitive detection of spatial and temporal Ca2+ signals at the tissue level, while live cell confocal imaging using Case12 provides simultaneous detection of cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ signals at a high resolution.

Measuring Spatial and Temporal Ca2+ Signals in Arabidopsis Plants

Ca2+ signaling regulates diverse biological processes in plants. Here we present approaches for monitoring abiotic stress induced spatial and temporal Ca2+ signals in Arabidopsis cells and tissues using the genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators Aequorin or Case12.

Misurazione spaziale e temporale Ca<sup&gt; 2 +</sup&gt; Segnali in Arabidopsis Piante

Developmental and environmental cues induce Ca2+ fluctuations in plant cells. Stimulus-specific spatial-temporal Ca2+ patterns are sensed by cellular Ca2+ ...

Imaging Local Ca2+ Signals in Cultured Mammalian Cells

Cytosolic Ca2+ ions regulate numerous aspects of cellular activity in almost all cell types, controlling processes as wide-ranging as gene transcription, electrical excitability and cell proliferation. The diversity and specificity of Ca2+ signaling derives from mechanisms by which Ca2+ signals are generated to act over different time and spatial scales, ranging from cell-wide oscillations and waves occurring over the periods of minutes to local transient Ca2+ microdomains (Ca2+ puffs) lasting milliseconds. Recent advances in electron multiplied CCD (EMCCD) cameras now allow for imaging of local Ca2+ signals with a 128 x 128 pixel spatial resolution at rates of &#62;500 frames sec-1 (fps). This approach is highly parallel and enables the simultaneous monitoring of hundreds of channels or puff sites in a single experiment. However, the vast amounts of data generated (ca. 1 Gb per min) render visual identification and analysis of local Ca2+ events impracticable. Here we describe and demonstrate the procedures for the acquisition, detection, and analysis of local IP3-mediated Ca2+ signals in intact mammalian cells loaded with Ca2+ indicators using both wide-field epi-fluorescence (WF) and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Furthermore, we describe an algorithm developed within the open-source software environment Python that automates the identification and analysis of these local Ca2+ signals. The algorithm localizes sites of Ca2+ release with sub-pixel resolution; allows user review of data; and outputs time sequences of fluorescence ratio signals together with amplitude and kinetic data in an Excel-compatible table.

Imaging Local Ca2+ Signals in Cultured Mammalian Cells

Here we present techniques for imaging local IP3-mediated Ca2+ events using fluorescence microscopy in intact mammalian cells loaded with Ca2+ indicators together with an algorithm that automates identification and analysis of these events.

Imaging locale Ca<sup&gt; 2+</sup&gt; Segnali in cellule di mammifero coltivate

Cytosolic Ca2+ ions regulate numerous aspects of cellular activity in almost all cell types, controlling processes as wide-ranging as gene transcription, ...

High-resolution Time-lapse Imaging and Automated Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

The physiological process by which new vasculature forms from existing vasculature requires specific signaling events that trigger morphological changes within individual endothelial cells (ECs). These processes are critical for homeostatic maintenance such as wound healing, and are also crucial in promoting tumor growth and metastasis. EC morphology is defined by the organization of the cytoskeleton, a tightly regulated system of actin and microtubule (MT) dynamics that is known to control EC branching, polarity and directional migration, essential components of angiogenesis. To study MT dynamics, we used high-resolution fluorescence microscopy coupled with computational image analysis of fluorescently-labeled MT plus-ends to investigate MT growth dynamics and the regulation of EC branching morphology and directional migration. Time-lapse imaging of living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) was performed following transfection with fluorescently-labeled MT End Binding protein 3 (EB3) and Mitotic Centromere Associated Kinesin (MCAK)-specific cDNA constructs to evaluate effects on MT dynamics. PlusTipTracker software was used to track EB3-labeled MT plus ends in order to measure MT growth speeds and MT growth lifetimes in time-lapse images. This methodology allows for the study of MT dynamics and the identification of how localized regulation of MT dynamics within sub-cellular regions contributes to the angiogenic processes of EC branching and migration.

Protocols for Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) culture, transient transfection of fluorescently-labeled markers of microtubule growth, live-cell imaging and automated analysis of interphase microtubule growth dynamics are detailed.

Ad alta risoluzione Time-lapse imaging e analisi automatizzata dei microtubuli Dynamics in Living ombelicale umano cellule endoteliali Vena

The physiological process by which new vasculature forms from existing vasculature requires specific signaling events that trigger morphological changes ...