This research is supported by R35GM148160 (C. C.) and a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Training Grant T32 GM007270 (R. C. S)

NOTE: Figure 1 shows the materials required to perform this study.
1. Considerations and preparations for the experiment
<ol>
	<li>Prevent the larvae from overcrowding. 
	NOTE: The quality of explant larval brains is directly related to the health and quality of the larvae prior to dissection. Larvae that are malnourished from overcrowding will generally yield lower-quality brains30.
	<ol>
		<li>Ensure that no more t...

Imaging Live Brain Explants from &lt;em&gt;Drosophila melanogaster&lt;/em&gt; Third Instar Larvae

<ol>
	<li>Delgado, M. K., Cabernard, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanical+regulation+of+cell+size,+fate,+and+behavior+during+asymmetric+cell+division.">Mechanical regulation of cell size, fate, and behavior during asymmetric cell division.</a> Current Opinion in Cell Biology. 67, 9-16 (2020).</li><li>Sunchu, B., Cabernard, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Principles+and+mechanisms+of+asymmetric+cell+division.">Principles and mechanisms of asymmetric cell division.</a> Development. 147 (13), (2020).</li><li>Homem, C. C. F., Knoblich, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drosophila+neuroblasts:+A+model+for+stem+cell+biology.">Drosophila neuroblasts: A model for stem cell biology.</a> Development. 139 (23), 4297-4310 (2012).</li><li>Gallaud, E., Pham, T., Cabernard, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drosophila+melanogaster+neuroblasts:+A+model+for+asymmetric+stem+cell+divisions.">Drosophila melanogaster neuroblasts: A model for asymmetric stem cell divisions.</a> Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation. 61 (1489), 183-210 (2017).</li><li>Loyer, N., Januschke, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Where+does+asymmetry+come+from?+Illustrating+principles+of+polarity+and+asymmetry+establishment+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts.">Where does asymmetry come from? Illustrating principles of polarity and asymmetry establishment in Drosophila neuroblasts.</a> Current Opinion in Cell Biology. 62, 70-77 (2020).</li><li>Pollington, H. Q., Seroka, A. Q., Doe, C. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=From+temporal+patterning+to+neuronal+connectivity+in+Drosophila+type+I+neuroblast+lineages.">From temporal patterning to neuronal connectivity in Drosophila type I neuroblast lineages.</a> Seminars in Cell &amp; Developmental Biology. 142, 4-12 (2023).</li><li>Oon, C. H., Prehoda, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Asymmetric+recruitment+and+actin+dependent+cortical+flows+drive+the+neuroblast+polarity+cycle.">Asymmetric recruitment and actin dependent cortical flows drive the neuroblast polarity cycle.</a> eLife. 8, e45815 (2019).</li><li>Ramat, A., Hannaford, M., Januschke, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Maintenance+of+miranda+localization+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts+involves+interaction+with+the+cognate+mRNA.">Maintenance of miranda localization in Drosophila neuroblasts involves interaction with the cognate mRNA.</a> Current Biology. 27 (14), 2101-2111 (2017).</li><li>Oon, C. H., Prehoda, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phases+of+cortical+actomyosin+dynamics+coupled+to+the+neuroblast+polarity+cycle.">Phases of cortical actomyosin dynamics coupled to the neuroblast polarity cycle.</a> eLife. 10, e66574 (2021).</li><li>LaFoya, B., Prehoda, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Actin-dependent+membrane+polarization+reveals+the+mechanical+nature+of+the+neuroblast+polarity+cycle.">Actin-dependent membrane polarization reveals the mechanical nature of the neuroblast polarity cycle.</a> Cell Reports. 35 (7), 109146 (2021).</li><li>Siller, K. H., Doe, C. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lis1/dynactin+regulates+metaphase+spindle+orientation+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts.">Lis1/dynactin regulates metaphase spindle orientation in Drosophila neuroblasts.</a> Developmental Biology. 319 (1), 1-9 (2008).</li><li>Siller, K. H., Cabernard, C., Doe, C. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+NuMA-related+Mud+protein+binds+Pins+and+regulates+spindle+orientation+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts.">The NuMA-related Mud protein binds Pins and regulates spindle orientation in Drosophila neuroblasts.</a> Nature Cell Biology. 8 (6), 594-600 (2006).</li><li>Cabernard, C., Doe, C. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Apical/basal+spindle+orientation+is+required+for+neuroblast+homeostasis+and+neuronal+differentiation+in+Drosophila.">Apical/basal spindle orientation is required for neuroblast homeostasis and neuronal differentiation in Drosophila.</a> Developmental Cell. 17 (1), 134-141 (2009).</li><li>Cabernard, C., Prehoda, K. E., Doe, C. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+spindle-independent+cleavage+furrow+positioning+pathway.">A spindle-independent cleavage furrow positioning pathway.</a> Nature. 467 (7311), 91-94 (2010).</li><li>Connell, M., Cabernard, C., Ricketson, D., Doe, C. Q., Prehoda, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Asymmetric+cortical+extension+shifts+cleavage+furrow+position+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts.">Asymmetric cortical extension shifts cleavage furrow position in Drosophila neuroblasts.</a> Molecular Biology of the Cell. 22 (22), 4220-4226 (2011).</li><li>Tsankova, A., Pham, T. T., Garcia, D. S., Otte, F., Cabernard, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+polarity+regulates+biased+myosin+activity+and+dynamics+during+asymmetric+cell+division+via+Drosophila+rho+kinase+and+protein+kinase+N.">Cell polarity regulates biased myosin activity and dynamics during asymmetric cell division via Drosophila rho kinase and protein kinase N.</a> Developmental Cell. 42 (2), 143-155 (2017).</li><li>Montembault, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Myosin+efflux+promotes+cell+elongation+to+coordinate+chromosome+segregation+with+cell+cleavage.">Myosin efflux promotes cell elongation to coordinate chromosome segregation with cell cleavage.</a> Nature Communications. 8 (1), 326 (2017).</li><li>Roubinet, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatio-temporally+separated+cortical+flows+and+spindle+geometry+establish+physical+asymmetry+in+fly+neural+stem+cells.">Spatio-temporally separated cortical flows and spindle geometry establish physical asymmetry in fly neural stem cells.</a> Nature Communications. 8 (1), 1383 (2017).</li><li>Januschke, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Centrobin+controls+mother-daughter+centriole+asymmetry+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts.">Centrobin controls mother-daughter centriole asymmetry in Drosophila neuroblasts.</a> Nature Cell Biology. 15 (3), 241-248 (2013).</li><li>Januschke, J., Llamazares, S., Reina, J., Gonzalez, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drosophila+neuroblasts+retain+the+daughter+centrosome.">Drosophila neuroblasts retain the daughter centrosome.</a> Nature Communications. 2 (1), 243 (2011).</li><li>Rebollo, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functionally+unequal+centrosomes+drive+spindle+orientation+in+asymmetrically+dividing+Drosophila+neural+stem+cells.">Functionally unequal centrosomes drive spindle orientation in asymmetrically dividing Drosophila neural stem cells.</a> Developmental Cell. 12 (3), 467-474 (2007).</li><li>Januschke, J., Gonzalez, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+interphase+microtubule+aster+is+a+determinant+of+asymmetric+division+orientation+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts.">The interphase microtubule aster is a determinant of asymmetric division orientation in Drosophila neuroblasts.</a> The Journal of Cell Biology. 188 (5), 693-706 (2010).</li><li>Rusan, N. M., Peifer, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+role+for+a+novel+centrosome+cycle+in+asymmetric+cell+division.">A role for a novel centrosome cycle in asymmetric cell division.</a> The Journal of Cell Biology. 177 (1), 13-20 (2007).</li><li>Lerit, D. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interphase+centrosome+organization+by+the+PLP-Cnn+scaffold+is+required+for+centrosome+function.">Interphase centrosome organization by the PLP-Cnn scaffold is required for centrosome function.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 210 (1), 79-97 (2015).</li><li>Gallaud, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+centriolar+localization+of+Polo+and+Centrobin+in+early+mitosis+primes+centrosome+asymmetry.">Dynamic centriolar localization of Polo and Centrobin in early mitosis primes centrosome asymmetry.</a> PLoS Biology. 18 (8), e3000762 (2020).</li><li>Ramdas Nair, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+microcephaly-associated+protein+Wdr62/CG7337+is+required+to+maintain+centrosome+asymmetry+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts.">The microcephaly-associated protein Wdr62/CG7337 is required to maintain centrosome asymmetry in Drosophila neuroblasts.</a> Cell Reports. 14 (5), 1100-1113 (2016).</li><li>Singh, P., Nair, A. R., Cabernard, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+centriolar+protein+Bld10/Cep135+is+required+to+establish+centrosome+asymmetry+in+Drosophila+neuroblasts.">The centriolar protein Bld10/Cep135 is required to establish centrosome asymmetry in Drosophila neuroblasts.</a> Current Biology. 24 (13), 1548-1555 (2014).</li><li>LaFoya, B., Prehoda, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Consumption+of+a+polarized+membrane+reservoir+drives+asymmetric+membrane+expansion+during+the+unequal+divisions+of+neural+stem+cells.">Consumption of a polarized membrane reservoir drives asymmetric membrane expansion during the unequal divisions of neural stem cells.</a> Developmental Cell. 1534 (23), 00159 (2023).</li><li>Sunchu, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Asymmetric+chromatin+retention+and+nuclear+envelopes+separate+chromosomes+in+fused+cells+in+vivo.">Asymmetric chromatin retention and nuclear envelopes separate chromosomes in fused cells in vivo.</a> Communications Biology. 5 (1), 953 (2022).</li><li>Oliveira, A. C., Rebelo, A. R., Homem, C. C. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integrating+animal+development:+How+hormones+and+metabolism+regulate+developmental+transitions+and+brain+formation.">Integrating animal development: How hormones and metabolism regulate developmental transitions and brain formation.</a> Developmental Biology. 475, 256-264 (2021).</li><li>Britton, J. S., Edgar, B. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Environmental+control+of+the+cell+cycle+in+Drosophila:+nutrition+activates+mitotic+and+endoreplicative+cells+by+distinct+mechanisms.">Environmental control of the cell cycle in Drosophila: nutrition activates mitotic and endoreplicative cells by distinct mechanisms.</a> Development. 125 (11), 2149-2158 (1998).</li><li>Lee, C. -. Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drosophila+Aurora-A+kinase+inhibits+neuroblast+self-renewal+by+regulating+aPKC/Numb+cortical+polarity+and+spindle+orientation.">Drosophila Aurora-A kinase inhibits neuroblast self-renewal by regulating aPKC/Numb cortical polarity and spindle orientation.</a> Genes &amp; Development. 20 (24), 3464-3474 (2006).</li><li>Homem, C. C. F., Reichardt, I., Berger, C., Lendl, T., Knoblich, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+live+cell+imaging+and+automated+4D+analysis+of+Drosophila+neuroblast+lineages.">Long-term live cell imaging and automated 4D analysis of Drosophila neuroblast lineages.</a> PLoS ONE. 8 (11), e79588 (2013).</li><li>Cabernard, C., Doe, C. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Live+imaging+of+neuroblast+lineages+within+intact+larval+brains+in+Drosophila.">Live imaging of neuroblast lineages within intact larval brains in Drosophila.</a> Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2013 (10), 970-977 (2013).</li><li>Karpova, N., Bobinnec, Y., Fouix, S., Huitorel, P., Debec, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Jupiter,+a+new+Drosophila+protein+associated+with+microtubules.">Jupiter, a new Drosophila protein associated with microtubules.</a> Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton. 63 (5), 301-312 (2006).</li><li>Loyer, N., Januschke, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+last-born+daughter+cell+contributes+to+division+orientation+of+Drosophila+larval+neuroblasts.">The last-born daughter cell contributes to division orientation of Drosophila larval neuroblasts.</a> Nature Communications. 9 (1), 3745 (2018).</li><li>Bostock, M. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+immobilization+technique+for+long-term+time-lapse+imaging+of+explanted+Drosophila+tissues.">An immobilization technique for long-term time-lapse imaging of explanted Drosophila tissues.</a> Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 8, 590094 (2020).</li></ol>

This protocol outlines one approach for the imaging of live explant brains from Drosophila melanogaster larvae. The protocol described here allows for explant brains to be observed for 12-20 h under the right experimental conditions. Special consideration must be given to the preparation of samples and the design of the desired experiments. As mentioned above, one of the most critical factors that determines the quality of the dissected tissue is the health of the larvae. To achieve the highest quality possible,...

Asymmetric cell division (ACD) is the process by which subcellular components such as RNA, proteins, and organelles are partitioned unequally between daughter cells1,2. This process is commonly seen in stem cells, which undergo ACD to give rise to daughter cells with different developmental fates. Drosophila NBs divide asymmetrically to produce one NB, which retains its stemness, and one ganglion mother cell (GMC). The GMC undergoes further divisions to produce differentiating neurons or glia3. Asymmetrically dividing NBs are abundant in the developing brains of third-instar larvae, which are readily observed via microscopy. At the third instar larval stage, there are roughly 100 NBs present in each central brain lobe3,4,5,6.
Asymmetric cell division is a highly dynamic process. Live-cell imaging protocols have been used to measure and quantify the dynamics of cell polarity7,8,9,10, spindle orientation11,12,13, the dynamics of the actomyosin cortex14,15,16,17,18, microtubule and centrosome biology19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27, and membrane10,28 and chromatin dynamics29. Qualitative and quantitative descriptions of ACD rely on robust methods and protocols to image dividing NBs in intact living brains. The following protocol outlines methods to prepare, dissect, and image third instar larval brains for live-cell imaging in vivo using two different mounting approaches. These methods are best suited for researchers interested in the spatiotemporal dynamics of stem cell divisions, as well as divisions in other brain cells, as they allow for short- and long-term observations of cellular events. Additionally, these techniques are readily accessible to newcomers to the field. We demonstrate the effectiveness and adaptability of this approach with larval brains expressing fluorescently tagged microtubule and cortical fusion proteins. We additionally discuss methods of analysis and considerations for application in other studies.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0.22 &#181;m polyethersulfone (PES) Membrane</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>25-231</td>
			<td>Vacuum-driven filters</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>20-248</td>
			<td>granulated agar</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Analytical Computer</td>
			<td>Dell</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td>Intel Xeon Gold 5222 CPU with two 3.80 GHz processors running Windows 10 on a 64-bit operating system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Growth Serum</td>
			<td>HyClone</td>
			<td>SH30541.02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chambered Imaging Slides</td>
			<td>Ibidi</td>
			<td>80826</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Custom-machined metal slide</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td>See Cabernard and Doe 2013 (Ref. 34) for specifications</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissection Dishes</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>5024343</td>
			<td>3-well porcelain micro spot plate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissection Forceps</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>Dumont #5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissection Microscope</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissection Scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>15003-08</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Embryo collection cage</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>59-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flypad with access to CO2 to anesthetize adult flies</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>59-172</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gas-permeable membrane</td>
			<td>YSI</td>
			<td>98095</td>
			<td>Gas-permeable membrane</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass Cover Slides</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>72204-03</td>
			<td># 1.5; 22 mm x 40 mm glass coverslips</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imaris</td>
			<td>Oxford Instruments</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td>Alternatives: Fiji, Volocity, Aivia</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imaris File Converter</td>
			<td>Oxford Instruments</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Instant Yeast</td>
			<td>Saf-Instant</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Molasses</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td>62-117</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petri dish</td>
			<td>Greiner Bio-One</td>
			<td>628161</td>
			<td>60 mm x 15 mm Petri dish</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petroleum Jelly</td>
			<td>Vaseline</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Schneider&#39;s Insect Medium with L-glutamine and sodium bicarbonate liquid</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>S0146</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SlideBook acquisition software</td>
			<td>3i</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vacuum-Driven Filtration Unit with a 0.22 &#181;&#181;m PES membrane filter</td>
			<td>Genesee Scientific, GenClone</td>
			<td>25-231</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

live-cell imaging of drosophila melanogaster third instar larval brains

Drosophila neural stem cells (neuroblasts, NBs hereafter) undergo asymmetric divisions, regenerating the self-renewing neuroblast, while also forming a differentiating ganglion mother cell (GMC), which will undergo one additional division to give rise to two neurons or glia. Studies in NBs have uncovered the molecular mechanisms underlying cell polarity, spindle orientation, neural stem cell self-renewal, and differentiation. These asymmetric cell divisions are readily observable via live-cell imaging, making larval NBs ideally suited for investigating the spatiotemporal dynamics of asymmetric cell division in living tissue. When properly dissected and imaged in nutrient-supplemented medium, NBs in explant brains robustly divide for 12-20 h. Previously described methods are technically difficult and may be challenging to those new to the field. Here, a protocol is described for the preparation, dissection, mounting, and imaging of live third-instar larval brain explants using fat body supplements. Potential problems are also discussed, and examples are provided for how this technique can be used.

Author Spotlight: Investigating Asymmetric Cell Division Dynamics: A Protocol for Live-Imaging of Drosophila Larval Brain Explants 

Live-Cell Imaging of Drosophila melanogaster Third Instar Larval Brains

Our research focuses on studying the impact of asymmetric cell division or ACD, on stem cell proliferation and differentiation. We employ Drosophila neural stem cells or neuroblasts as a model to understand the mechanisms, regulations, and impacts of asymmetric cell division on development and neurogenesis. The recent developments in artificial intelligence have been making major strides in image quantification and analysis, which has significantly advanced the field of life cell imaging.Maintaining sample quality for a long-term movie is a long-standing challenge. While it's insightful to observe a sample for eight to 10 hours, logistical constraints, like the sample's imaging requirements and available imaging tools, make it difficult. Our protocol addresses this by demonstrating long-term imaging without impacting the sample's quality.Our technique could be easily adopted and applied to the field by newcomers. With some time and practice, one can feasibly generate short and long-term movies, which have the potential to yield insightful and meaningful data.

Dissection and imaging of central brain lobe NBs expressing Pins::EGFP and Cherry::Jupiter 
To showcase this protocol, larvae expressing UAS-driven Cherry::Jupiter13 and endogenously tagged Pins::EGFP16 (w; worGal4, UAS-cherry::jupiter/CyO; Pins::EGFP/TM6B, Tb) were imaged for 4 h using the described protocol using multi-well imaging slides (Figure 5C,D). Additional data were taken from larvae expressing U...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Investigating Asymmetric Cell Division Dynamics: A Protocol for Live-Imaging of Drosophila Larval Brain Explants at JoVE.com

Here, we discuss a workflow to prepare, dissect, mount, and image live explant brains from Drosophila melanogaster third instar larvae to observe the cellular and subcellular dynamics under physiological conditions.

Drosophila neural stem cells (neuroblasts, NBs hereafter) undergo asymmetric divisions, regenerating the self-renewing neuroblast, while also forming a ...

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