Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Drosophila heart models are widely employed in studying cardiac aging and modeling human cardiac diseases. However, the dissection of Drosophila hearts before imaging is a meticulous time-intensive process that requires advanced training and motor skills. To address these challenges, we present an innovative protocol that utilizes cryosectioning for the fluorescence imaging of Drosophila heart tissue. The protocol has been demonstrated in imaging the adult Drosophila heart but could be adapted for developmental stages. The method enhances both the efficiency and accessibility of fluorescence staining while preserving the integrity of the tissue. This protocol simplifies the process without compromising the quality of imaging, thereby reducing the dependency on technicians with highly developed training and motor skills. Specifically, we replace complex techniques, such as capillary vacuum suction, with more straightforward methods like tissue embedding. This approach allows for the visualization of cardiac structures with greater ease and reproducibility. We demonstrate the utility of this protocol by effectively detecting key cardiac markers and achieving high-resolution fluorescence and immunostaining imaging that unveils intricate details of heart morphology and cellular organization. This method provides a robust and accessible tool for researchers exploring Drosophila cardiac biology, facilitating detailed analyses of heart development, function, and disease models.
DOI: 10.3791/67827
Authors: John Watson, Sachin Budhathoki, Girish C. Melkani
Institutions: University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Optimized Circadian Rhythms for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, Molecular basis of circadian rhythms disruptions linked cardiometabolic disorders and their mitigation using dietary intervention, Optimized Circadian Rhythms for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, G7016884423, Promoting circadian rhythms to optimize gut-to-brain signaling for Alzheimer's disease
OpenAlex ID: W4408932575
