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The neuronal naturalist: watching neurons in their native habitat

Nature Neuroscience volume 4, pages 1215–1220 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Dynamic processes of neural development, such as migrations of precursor cells, growth of axons and dendrites, and formation and modification of synapses, can be fully analyzed only with techniques that monitor changes over time. Although there has been long-standing motivation for following cellular and synaptic events in vivo (intravital microscopy), until recently few preparations have been studied, and then often only with great effort. Innovations in low-light and laser-scanning microscopies, coupled with developments of new dyes and of genetically encoded indicators, have increased both the breadth and depth of in situ imaging approaches. Here we present the motivations and challenges for dynamic imaging methods, offer some illustrative examples and point to future opportunities with emerging technologies.

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Figure 1: Time-lapse imaging of two neuromuscular junctions (NMJ 1 and NMJ 2) viewed in vivo on postnatal days 7, 8 and 9 in a transgenic mouse that expresses YFP in its motor axons.
Figure 2: Frames from an intravital microscopy time-lapse study of cell migration in the neural crest.
Figure 3: Vital imaging of neuronal spines in a hippocampal slice in culture in 4-D (3-D movie over time).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, 63110, Missouri, USA

    Jeff W. Lichtman

  2. Biological Imaging Center, Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, 91125, California, USA

    Scott E. Fraser

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  1. Jeff W. Lichtman
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  2. Scott E. Fraser
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Correspondence to Scott E. Fraser.

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Lichtman, J., Fraser, S. The neuronal naturalist: watching neurons in their native habitat. Nat Neurosci 4 (Suppl 11), 1215–1220 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn754

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