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Live Imaging of Planarian Membrane Potential Using DiBAC4(3)
Néstor J Oviedo1, Cindy L Nicolas, Dany S Adams
1Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Forsyth Institute and Developmental Biology Department, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
This study introduces a new method using DiBAC(4)(3) dye to visualize cell membrane potential in live planarians. This technique offers a powerful, simple way to study physiological changes in whole organisms or fragments.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Standard electrophysiological techniques are limited for whole-organism or fragment studies in planarians due to small cell size and high cell numbers.
- Understanding cell membrane potential is crucial for physiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a protocol for imaging cell membrane potential in live planarians using the DiBAC(4)(3) dye.
- To demonstrate the utility of this method for assessing physiological changes in response to experimental treatments.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes the anionic voltage-reporting dye DiBAC(4)(3) for live imaging.
- Generates images that qualitatively reveal time-averaged membrane potential variations across planarian regions.
Main Results:
- The method allows visualization of spatial variations in membrane potential.
- Changes in membrane potential images correlate with experimental treatments, indicating physiological effects.
Conclusions:
- This DiBAC(4)(3) dye imaging technique is a significant improvement over traditional methods for studying planarian physiology.
- It provides a powerful, simple approach for gathering physiological data from whole organisms or regenerating fragments.
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