Micro-magnetic resonance imaging of ex vivo mouse embryos with potato starch suspension

Tomokazu Tsurugizawa; Takuma Kumamoto; Yoshichika Yoshioka

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102483

Micro-magnetic resonance imaging of ex vivo mouse embryos with potato starch suspension

STAR Protoc. 2023 Sep 15;4(3):102483. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102483. Epub 2023 Jul 29.

Authors

Tomokazu Tsurugizawa¹, Takuma Kumamoto², Yoshichika Yoshioka³

Affiliations

¹ Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8568, Japan; Faculty of Engineering, Information and Systems, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8573, Japan; Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan; Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), Osaka University and National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Suita 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address: t-tsurugizawa@aist.go.jp.
² Developmental Neuroscience Project, Department of Brain & Neurosciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan.
³ Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan; Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), Osaka University and National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Suita 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address: yoshioka@fbs.osaka-u.ac.jp.

Abstract

Potato starch suspension (PSS) holds promise as a solution to issues, such as air bubbles and specimen motion, associated with micro-magnetic resonance imaging (micro-MRI) of ex vivo embryos. Here, we present a protocol for using PSS when scanning specimens with micro-MRI. We describe steps for preparing samples and potato starch with phosphate-buffered saline. We then detail steps for specimen immersion and micro-MRI scanning. This protocol will enable micro-MRI of not only embryos but also other specimens, such as insects. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Tsurugizawa et al.¹.

Keywords: Developmental Biology; Microbiology; Microscopy; Model Organisms; Neuroscience.

MeSH terms

Animals
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mice
Solanum tuberosum*
Starch
Suspensions

Substances

Starch
Suspensions