Precise spatio-temporal control of rapid optogenetic cell ablation with mem-KillerRed in Zebrafish

Buckley, C., Carvalho, M.T., Young, L.K., Rider, S.A., McFadden, C., Berlage, C., Verdon, R.F., Taylor, J.M. , Girkin, J.M. and Mullins, J.J. (2017) Precise spatio-temporal control of rapid optogenetic cell ablation with mem-KillerRed in Zebrafish. Scientific Reports, 7, 5096. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-05028-2) (PMID:28698677) (PMCID:PMC5506062)

Abstract

The ability to kill individual or groups of cells in vivo is important for studying cellular processes and their physiological function. Cell-specific genetically encoded photosensitizing proteins, such as KillerRed, permit spatiotemporal optogenetic ablation with low-power laser light. We report dramatically improved resolution and speed of cell targeting in the zebrafish kidney through the use of a selective plane illumination microscope (SPIM). Furthermore, through the novel incorporation of a Bessel beam into the SPIM imaging arm, we were able to improve on targeting speed and precision. The low diffraction of the Bessel beam coupled with the ability to tightly focus it through a high NA lens allowed precise, rapid targeting of subsets of cells at anatomical depth in live, developing zebrafish kidneys. We demonstrate that these specific targeting strategies significantly increase the speed of optoablation as well as fish survival.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Taylor, Dr Jonathan
• Authors: Buckley, C., Carvalho, M.T., Young, L.K., Rider, S.A., McFadden, C., Berlage, C., Verdon, R.F., Taylor, J.M., Girkin, J.M., and Mullins, J.J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 7: 5096
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license