Abstract
This work aims at describing episcopic 3D imaging methods and at discussing how these methods can contribute to researching the genetic mechanisms driving embryogenesis and tissue remodelling, and the genesis of pathologies. Several episcopic 3D imaging methods exist. The most advanced are capable of generating high-resolution volume data (voxel sizes from 0.5x0.5x1 μm upwards) of small to large embryos of model organisms and tissue samples. Beside anatomy and tissue architecture, gene expression and gene product patterns can be three dimensionally analyzed in their precise anatomical and histological context with the aid of whole mount in situ hybridization or whole mount immunohistochemical staining techniques. Episcopic 3D imaging techniques were and are employed for analyzing the precise morphological phenotype of experimentally malformed, randomly produced, or genetically engineered embryos of biomedical model organisms. It has been shown that episcopic 3D imaging also fits for describing the spatial distribution of genes and gene products during embryogenesis, and that it can be used for analyzing tissue samples of adult model animals and humans. The latter offers the possibility to use episcopic 3D imaging techniques for researching the causality and treatment of pathologies or for staging cancer. Such applications, however, are not yet routine and currently only preliminary results are available. We conclude that, although episcopic 3D imaging is in its very beginnings, it represents an upcoming methodology, which in short terms will become an indispensable tool for researching the genetic regulation of embryo development as well as the genesis of malformations and diseases.
Keywords: 3D modelling, episcopic microscopy, imaging, embryo, development, gene expression
Current Genomics
Title: Episcopic 3D Imaging Methods: Tools for Researching Gene Function
Volume: 9 Issue: 4
Author(s): Wolfgang J. Weninger and Stefan H. Geyer
Affiliation:
Keywords: 3D modelling, episcopic microscopy, imaging, embryo, development, gene expression
Abstract: This work aims at describing episcopic 3D imaging methods and at discussing how these methods can contribute to researching the genetic mechanisms driving embryogenesis and tissue remodelling, and the genesis of pathologies. Several episcopic 3D imaging methods exist. The most advanced are capable of generating high-resolution volume data (voxel sizes from 0.5x0.5x1 μm upwards) of small to large embryos of model organisms and tissue samples. Beside anatomy and tissue architecture, gene expression and gene product patterns can be three dimensionally analyzed in their precise anatomical and histological context with the aid of whole mount in situ hybridization or whole mount immunohistochemical staining techniques. Episcopic 3D imaging techniques were and are employed for analyzing the precise morphological phenotype of experimentally malformed, randomly produced, or genetically engineered embryos of biomedical model organisms. It has been shown that episcopic 3D imaging also fits for describing the spatial distribution of genes and gene products during embryogenesis, and that it can be used for analyzing tissue samples of adult model animals and humans. The latter offers the possibility to use episcopic 3D imaging techniques for researching the causality and treatment of pathologies or for staging cancer. Such applications, however, are not yet routine and currently only preliminary results are available. We conclude that, although episcopic 3D imaging is in its very beginnings, it represents an upcoming methodology, which in short terms will become an indispensable tool for researching the genetic regulation of embryo development as well as the genesis of malformations and diseases.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Weninger J. Wolfgang and Geyer H. Stefan, Episcopic 3D Imaging Methods: Tools for Researching Gene Function, Current Genomics 2008; 9 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920208784533601
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920208784533601 |
Print ISSN 1389-2029 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5488 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Current Genomics in Cardiovascular Research
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world, in recent years we have had important advances in the interaction between cardiovascular disease and genomics. In this Research Topic, we intend for researchers to present their results with a focus on basic, translational and clinical investigations associated with ...read more
Deep learning in Single Cell Analysis
The field of biology is undergoing a revolution in our ability to study individual cells at the molecular level, and to integrate data from multiple sources and modalities. This has been made possible by advances in technologies for single-cell sequencing, multi-omics profiling, spatial transcriptomics, and high-throughput imaging, as well as ...read more
New insights on Pediatric Tumors and Associated Cancer Predisposition Syndromes
Because of the broad spectrum of children cancer susceptibility, the diagnosis of cancer risk syndromes in children is rarely used in direct cancer treatment. The field of pediatric cancer genetics and genomics will only continue to expand as a result of increasing use of genetic testing tools. It's possible that ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Are Patient Self-Report Questionnaires as "Scientific" as Biomarkers in "Treat-totarget" and Prognosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Stairway to Heaven or Hell? Perspectives and Limitations of Chagas Disease Chemotherapy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry EGFR and the Complexity of Receptor Crosstalk in the Cardiovascular System
Current Molecular Medicine Isoindole Derivatives: Propitious Anticancer Structural Motifs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Potential Relevance of Melatonin Against Some Infectious Agents: A Review and Assessment of Recent Research
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Integrin-Mediated Cell Adhesion in Atherosclerosis: Pathophysiology and Clinical Opportunities
Current Pharmaceutical Design Calcium Ion – The Key Player in Cerebral Ischemia
Current Medicinal Chemistry MicroRNAs in Platelet Biogenesis and Function: Implications in Vascular Homeostasis and Inflammation
Current Vascular Pharmacology Effect of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and with Reduced Ejection Fraction - A Narrative Review
Current Vascular Pharmacology Microparticles in Health and Disease: Small Mediators, Large Role?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Can Unconventional Exercise be Helpful in the Treatment, Management and Prevention of Osteosarcopenic Obesity?
Current Aging Science Voltage-Gated Ion Channels, New Targets in Anti-Cancer Research
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Augmentation of Creatine in the Heart
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Microbial Biotransformation: Recent Developments on Steroid Drugs
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Medicinal Agents and Metabolic Syndrome
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cerebral Vascular Aging: Extending the Concept of Pulse Wave Encephalopathy Through Capillaries to the Cerebral Veins
Current Aging Science Molecular Mechanisms of Inherited Arrhythmias
Current Genomics Going Beyond Anthracyclines and Taxanes in Breast Cancer – What’s Next?
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Targeted Regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-κB Signaling by Indole Compounds and their Derivatives: Mechanistic Details and Biological Implications for Cancer Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Antisense Antibiotics: A Brief Review of Novel Target Discovery and Delivery
Current Drug Discovery Technologies