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Bioluminescence imaging in live cells and animals.
Jack K Tung1, Ken Berglund2, Claire-Anne Gutekunst2
1Georgia Institute of Technology, Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, 313 Ferst Drive, Room 2127, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States; Emory University, Department of Neurosurgery, 101 Woodruff Circle, WMRB Rm 6337, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States.
Neurophotonics
|May 27, 2016
Summary
Bioluminescent reporters offer advantages over fluorescent ones in neuroscience. This study details cost-effective methods for imaging bioluminescence in live cells and animals using common equipment, demonstrating practical applications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biotechnology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Bioluminescent reporters are increasingly used in neuroscience research.
- They offer unique advantages over traditional fluorescent reporters.
- Practical methods for their application are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe practical methods for detecting and imaging bioluminescence from live cells and animals.
- To optimize conventional fluorescence microscopes for long-term bioluminescence imaging.
- To demonstrate cost-effective bioluminescence detection using common equipment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic testing and optimization of conventional fluorescence microscope components for bioluminescence imaging.
- Long-term imaging of bioluminescence from live neurons.
- Noninvasive imaging of bioluminescence from the mouse brain through the intact skull using a conventional luminescence imager.
Main Results:
- High-resolution bioluminescence images of live neurons were obtained.
- Continuous imaging for several hours was achieved without phototoxicity.
- Noninvasive imaging of bioluminescence in the mouse brain was successful.
Conclusions:
- Bioluminescence imaging can be routinely performed on live cells and animals.
- The described methods are cost-effective and utilize common reagents and equipment.
- Bioluminescence offers a valuable alternative to fluorescence reporters in neuroscience research.
