Microscopy technologies have progressed to such a point that it is now possible to image a developing vertebrate at the single cell resolution. Two main model species are being used for such studies, the zebrafish and the mouse. The present MOOC introduces the trainees to these two animal models, to the most modern microscopy technologies, to the use of high volume of data (images) and to the modelling of the studied processes. Trainees will also be introduced to the intravital study of viral infections.
The MOOC gives both a general introduction and introduces to more specialized tools and concepts.
At the end of the MOOC, you will know:
- How to get vertebrate embryos to be imaged
- How to label embryos and larvae for imaging
- How to choose the right microscope for your purpose
- How to deal with both the type of data generated and with the large amount of images/data generated by your microscope
- How to choose the right modeling tools and what modelling could bring to the experimental plans and to the understanding of the underlying biological processes.
Course format
The MOOC is made of 5 weeks of electronic lessons, and you will be offered quizzes to evaluate your performances
Prerequisites
The target audience are :
Students in their first years at the University, before graduating a Bachelor, in order for them to be introduced to the challenges of intravital imaging in vertebrates before their first laboratory internship.
Master students interested in these disciplines or graduated students and researchers that want to implement research projects in these disciplines.
Prerequisite : Basic knowledge in biology
Course outline
Week 1 : Preparing embryos for imaging
Week 2 : What to image; Labelling techniques
Week 3 : How to image, Microscopes
Week 4 : From images to data
Week 5 : Modelling
