[Analysis of Musculoskeletal Systems and Their Diseases. Musculoskeletal disease research by using imaging technique]

Intravital fluorescence imaging technique is a method that enables to visualize behavior and function of molecules and cells in vivo . Recently, the intravital fluorescence imaging technique has developed rapidly. In particular, development of functional fluorescent proteins and fluorescent dyes in conjunction with appropriate equipment including two-photon fluorescence microscope and image processing software enables to investigate bone and cartilage tissues in vivo . Here we show recent technological development of the intravital fluorescence imaging in biology. Moreover, we would discuss about issues of the intravital fluorescence imaging and the application of the fluorescent imaging approaches to bone and cartilage biology.