A Drosophila Neuromuscular Synaptogenesis Research Laboratory  
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Cellular Events ::  
The precision in synaptic matchmaking at the Drosophila neuromuscular system is ultimate, it displays a one-to-one single cell resolution. How the neurons and muscles accomplish this astounding precision is still a major challenge to neurobiology. However, our observations may shed some light into this process in vivo. Using three- and four-dimensional analysis in undissected, live Drosophila embryos expressing GFP-based bioprobes. During development of neuromuscular synapses in both invertebrates and vertebrates, the muscle cells extend highly animated myopodia (postsynaptic filopodia) and dynamically interact with the innervating motoneuron axons. This part of my research program is designed to understand the underlying cellular behavioral pattern of myopodia.
 
   
 
  Myopodia :: Dynamic Behavior

Image: Drosophila at ~hour 13 AEL (after egg-laying) expressing membrane-targeted GFP (green fluorescent protein) in Muscle 12. White bars indicate the approximate location of muscle insertion site. Arrows indicate individual myopodia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movie: This three-dimensional reconstructed movie shows muscle 12, expressing membrane-targeted GFP. In the animation we can appreciate the highly dynamic myopodia extending all over the muscle surface. Based on this type of live analysis we have established myopodia to have an average length of 9.1 μm, with individual processes extending over 40 μm.
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large product photo   Myopodia :: High-Resolution

Image: This electron micrograph shows muscle 6, 7, 13 and 12 with their corresponding myopodia micro processes and their intricate interactions at hour 14 (from Ritzenthaler et al., 2000).

 

 

 

 

Movie: Three-dimensional reconstruction of live Drosophila at ~hour 13 AEL (after egg-laying) expressing membrane-targeted GFP (green fluorescent protein) in Muscle 12. This animation shows myopodia extending in all directions from a single muscle cell. <movie link>
 
   

 

  

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