Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 28, 2026

In vivo Imaging of Transgenic Leishmania Parasites in a Live Host
09:53

In vivo Imaging of Transgenic Leishmania Parasites in a Live Host

Published on: July 27, 2010

16.6K

Intravital microscopy: Imaging host-parasite interactions in the brain

Mariana De Niz1,2, Adéla Nacer3, Friedrich Frischknecht4

  • 1Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Cellular Microbiology
|March 5, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM) offers a real-time view of biological processes in living animals. This review details brain IVM techniques and their application in studying parasitic infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Microscopy
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM) allows in situ visualization of cellular processes in live animals.
  • Technological advancements in microscopy and data analysis have enhanced IVM capabilities.
  • IVM provides a dynamic view of biological processes, surpassing limitations of in vitro methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review brain-specific IVM techniques and their advantages/limitations.
  • To explore the application of IVM in the field of neuroparasitology.
  • To discuss IVM's contribution to understanding protozoan infections affecting the brain.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on brain IVM techniques.
  • Discussion of thinned skull windows, open skull cortical windows, and microendoscopic probes.
  • Analysis of IVM's utility in studying Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Trypanosoma infections.

Main Results:

  • IVM enables direct visualization of cellular dynamics within the brain.
  • Various cranial window preparations and microendoscopic approaches are suitable for brain IVM.
  • IVM has yielded significant insights into the neurobiology of parasitic infections.

Conclusions:

  • Brain IVM is a valuable tool for studying neurological processes and infections in vivo.
  • The reviewed techniques offer different advantages for accessing and imaging the brain.
  • IVM plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of neuroparasitology.
Keywords:
Infectionbrainhost-pathogen interactionsintravital microscopyparasitology

More Related Videos

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions06:23

Leveraging Micro-CT Scanning to Analyze Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions

Published on: January 12, 2022

2.4K
Intravital Microscopy of the Mouse Brain Microcirculation using a Closed Cranial Window08:37

Intravital Microscopy of the Mouse Brain Microcirculation using a Closed Cranial Window

Published on: November 18, 2010

18.0K

Related Concept Videos

Brain Imaging01:14

Brain Imaging

Brain imaging technologies provide critical insights into both the structure and function of the human brain, enabling medical professionals and researchers to diagnose, study, and treat neurological disorders or psychiatric disorders more effectively.
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans),  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),  functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic...
724
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores02:40

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...
16.8K
Predator-Prey Interactions02:39

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.
21.4K
Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy01:18

Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy

Optical microscopy uses optic principles to provide detailed images of samples. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek designed the first compound optical microscope in the 17th century to visualize blood cells, bacteria, and yeast cells. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes with enhanced magnification and resolution.
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
9.9K
Van der Waals Interactions01:24

Van der Waals Interactions

Atoms and molecules interact with each other through intermolecular forces. These electrostatic forces arise from attractive or repulsive interactions between particles with permanent, partial, or temporary charges. The intermolecular forces between neutral atoms and molecules are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, and dispersion forces, collectively known as van der Waals forces.
71.2K
piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
7.6K