Visualization is an important step to address complex biological questions in vivo. The imaging process can widen the perspective of analysis by putting molecular biology data into their biological and spatial contexts, including investigation of the dynamics of cell processes.

 

Recent years witnessed major improvements in imaging technologies mostly for in vitro analyses of cells; imaging in vivo lagged behind. Despite its prominence as a model, the mouse shows severe limitations for high-resolution imaging, especially when investigating fine object such as therapeutic nanoparticles and the cells with which they interact.

 

Recently, the zebrafish model has emerged as a powerful alternative model to investigate complex biological question in vivo, and this for mainly two reasons:

1) Its small size and transparency at the larvae stage provide excellent conditions for non-invasive live-imaging.

2) Its small size at both larvae and adult stage are also particularly suited for whole-organism investigations.

Together, these two crucial features secure an exceptional preservation of the biological context.

 

Here, I will present the advantages of the zebrafish model for high-resolution imaging and point out how it allowed us to identify a new biological mechanism impacting the fate of intravenously-injected nanoparticles, and to explore the organization of mucosal immunity in fish.

 

Learning Objectives