Beyond the Quail

It’s often an agonising decision for a biologist: where to focus? The individual cell, or the whole tissue? Fortunately, as technology advances, it’s sometimes possible to choose both. Here researchers watch cells in a developing quail embryo swirling into patterns that will define its circulatory system. The embryo is transgenic (has gene/s introduced by genetic engineering), and switching on artificial genes in its cells produces fluorescence spotted by a powerful microscope. Using impressive computer analysis of images captured over a wide field of view, rainbow colours reveal cells at different depths in the embryo, with cooler colours deeper within the tissue. The team analyse the movements of these endothelial cells over 24 hours, revealing details about the behaviour of these cells in 'real life' and giving clues to the development of similar tissues in human embryos.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Video from work by Taro Ichimura and colleagues
• Transdimensional Life Imaging Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research, Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
• Video originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
• Published in eLife, February 2025