Micro-computed tomography as a platform for exploring Drosophila development

Understanding how events at the molecular and cellular scales contribute to tissue form and function is key to uncovering the mechanisms driving animal development, physiology and disease. Elucidating these mechanisms has been enhanced through the study of model organisms and the use of sophisticated genetic, biochemical and imaging tools. Here, we present an accessible method for non-invasive imaging of Drosophila melanogaster at high resolution using micro-computed tomography (µ-CT). We show how rapid processing of intact animals, at any developmental stage, provides precise quantitative assessment of tissue size and morphology, and permits analysis of inter-organ relationships. We then use µ-CT imaging to study growth defects in the Drosophila brain through the characterization of abnormal spindle (asp) and WD repeat domain 62 (Wdr62), orthologs of the two most commonly mutated genes in human microcephaly patients. Our work demonstrates the power of combining µ-CT with traditional genetic, cellular and developmental biology tools available in model organisms to address novel biological mechanisms that control animal development and disease.