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Published on: August 1, 2022
Towards a microMRI atlas of mouse development
R E Jacobs1, E T Ahrens, M E Dickinson
1Beckman Institute and Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, USA. rjacobs@caltech.edu
Summary
Microscopic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides detailed 3D anatomical information for mouse embryo development atlases. This non-invasive technique on fixed samples enables future in vivo studies and integration with other analyses.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Anatomical Sciences
Background:
- Accurate 3D digital atlases are crucial for understanding developmental biology.
- Existing methods may have limitations in resolution or sample manipulation.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers non-invasive visualization potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate microscopic MRI for generating 3D digital atlases of mouse embryonic development.
- To assess the feasibility of using fixed samples for comparative atlasing and future in vivo research.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was applied to fixed mouse embryos (developmental day post-coitum [dpc] 6.5-16).
- Techniques included diffusion weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and multi-valued data sets.
- Image analysis focused on achieving necessary contrast and anatomical detail.
Main Results:
- Microscopic MRI successfully captured high-contrast, detailed 3D anatomical information of mouse embryos.
- Demonstrated the utility of diffusion imaging techniques for anatomical data acquisition.
- Fixed samples proved suitable for detailed imaging and comparison with existing atlases.
Conclusions:
- Microscopic MRI is a viable technique for creating detailed 3D digital atlases of mouse embryonic development.
- The non-invasive nature of MRI on fixed samples preserves sample integrity for subsequent analyses.
- This approach supports comparative studies and lays groundwork for in vivo imaging applications.
