Characterization of shock wave effects in syncytial embryos of Drosophila melanogaster using fluorescent nanoparticles
Authors: Daniel Tapia Merino 1,2,5; Achim Max Loske Mehling 3,5; Gabriel Ramos Ortiz 4; Juan Rafael Riesgo Escovar 2,5
Affiliations: 1) Maestria en Ciencias (Neurobiologia), INB, Queretaro, Mexico; 2) Instituto de Neurobiologia (INB), Queretaro, Mexico; 3) Centro de Fisica Aplicada y Tecnologia Avanzada (CFATA), Queretaro, Mexico; 4) Centro de Investigaciones en Optica, A.C. , Guanajuato, Mexico; 5) Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Campus Juriquilla, Queretaro, Mexico
Keywords: q. other (Development of a new technique for inserting material into Drosophila embryo); t. regeneration
We employed fluorescent nanoparticles as fiducial markers to evidence the insertion of material into the early syncytial embryo of Drosophila melanogaster, using underwater shock waves. These mechanical waves generate microjets that, in principle, perforate the outer layers of the embryos (chorion and vitelline membranes) as well as the embryonic plasma membrane. A convenient shock wave pressure profile was found, to guarantee the survival and growth of a reasonable percentage of the treated embryos to become viable, fertile adults. Our results reveal that fluorescent nanoparticles of different sizes and composition, added to the incubation medium, upon shock wave exposure, are able to penetrate the embryonic layers, and stay inside the fly tissues. These results could lead to diverse biological applications in a few simple steps.