Gastrulation - Studying Convergent Extension

The motility that rearranging cells display can be visualized by labeling individual cells with the lipophilic dye DiIC16. In such embryos, rearranging cells can be seen against a dark background.

To see an example of this sort of analysis, click on the picture below, which shows a time-lapse movie of a cell at the blastopore extending lamellipodial protrusions as it rearranges. What is remarkable about rearranging cells is that they display dramatic motility on their basolateral surfaces. It is possible that such protrusions are used as the cells change positions during rearrangement.

Size of movie: ??? K