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Updated: Mar 10, 2026
Light Sheet-based Fluorescence Microscopy of Living or Fixed and Stained Tribolium castaneum Embryos
Published on: April 28, 2017
Long-term fluorescence live imaging of Tribolium castaneum embryos: principles, resources, scientific challenges and
Frederic Strobl1, Ernst Hk Stelzer1
1Physical Biology/Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt - Macromolecular Complexes (CEF-MC), Goethe Universität - Frankfurt am Main (Campus Riedberg), Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, D-60348 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Abstract:
Light sheet-based fluorescence microscopy became an important tool in insect developmental biology due to its high acquisition speed, low photo-bleaching rate and the high survival probability of the specimens. Initially applied to document the embryogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster, it is now used to investigate the embryonic morphogenesis of emerging model organisms such as the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Here, we discuss the principles of light sheet-based fluorescence microscopy and outline Tribolium as a model organism for developmental biology. We summarize labeling options and present two custom-made transgenic lines suitable for live imaging. Finally, we highlight studies on Tribolium that address scientific questions with fluorescence live imaging and discuss the comparative approach to investigate insect morphogenesis in an evolutionary context.
