Abstract
Application of optical imaging in developmental biology marks an exciting frontier in biomedical optics. Optical resolution and imaging depth allow for investigation of growing embryos at subcellular, cellular, and whole organism levels, while the complexity and variety of embryonic processes set multiple challenges stimulating the development of various live dynamic embryonic imaging approaches. Among other optical methods, label-free optical techniques attract an increasing interest as they allow investigation of developmental mechanisms without application of exogenous markers or fluorescent reporters. There has been a boost in development of label-free optical imaging techniques for studying embryonic development in animal models over the last decade, which revealed new information about early development and created new areas for investigation. Here, we review the recent progress in label-free optical embryonic imaging, discuss specific applications, and comment on future developments at the interface of photonics, engineering, and developmental biology.
Highlights
Optical imaging plays an essential role in uncovering mysteries in the early development of a new life [1,2,3], enabling understanding of organism formation, inspiring strategies for tissue regeneration, and providing insights into better management of congenital defects and embryonic failures
Optical and optoacoustic imaging techniques for developmental biology was reviewed by Ripoll et al [3], where the systematic discussion largely focuses on the imaging depth, speed and resolution – the three most important characteristics of the imaging methods. Different from this thorough review, we primarily focus on the connections between the fundamental contrast, imaging capability, and corresponding applications in developmental biology, highlighting indispensable features of non-labelling optical imaging as a complement to fluorescence-based techniques, to assist the match of specific challenges in embryology to the latest technological advances in biophotonic imaging
Introduced in 1991, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a low-coherence imaging modality based on interferometric detection of backscattered light from tissue [19]
Summary
Optical imaging plays an essential role in uncovering mysteries in the early development of a new life [1,2,3], enabling understanding of organism formation, inspiring strategies for tissue regeneration, and providing insights into better management of congenital defects and embryonic failures. The employment of endogenous optical contrasts enables label-free optical imaging that addresses the intrinsic limitations of fluorescence imaging, such as photobleaching and phototoxicity [13,14], eliminating a major restriction in achieving high temporal resolution and long duration for imaging the dynamic developmental processes These endogenous optical contrasts come from various photon-tissue interactions, revealing anatomical, morphological, mechanical, molecular, and functional information of the embryonic development [15,16,17,18]. The potential in addressing open questions in developmental biology are provided in the Outlook and Summary at the end of the manuscript
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