Atomic force microscopy of living and fixed Xenopus laevis embryos

Xenopus laevis embryos are a rather simple and at the same time a very interesting animal model, which is widely used for research in developmental biology. Intensive coordinated cell movements take place during the multi-cellular organism development. Little is known of the cellular, molecular and biomechanical mechanisms of these movements. The conceptual framework for analysis of cell interactions within integrated populations is poorly developed. We have used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to observe the surface of fixed X. laevis embryos at different stages of their development. We have developed a new sample preparation protocol for these observations. The obtained images were compared with scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) data. Cell rearrangement during morphogenesis in vivo was also visualized by AFM. In the current paper we discuss facilities and challenges of using this technique for further embryo researching.

► AFM was used to observe the surface of living and fixed Xenopus laevis embryos.
► Cell rearrangement during morphogenesis was observed by AFM in vivo.
► AFM images of the fixed embryos were compared with SEM data.