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Mouse nucleus showing chromosomes at the pachytene stage of meiosis. The green stain highlights the synaptonemal complex, a structure that holds the two chromosomes of a pair together prior to recombination. The blue stain shows the loosely condensed DNA.

Meiosis

Image of a 10.5 dpc mouse embryo showing the heart and somites. The image was created using optical projection tomography (OPT) and immunohistochemistry technique. An MF20 antibody was used - which recognises cardiac and skeletal muscle myosin and the whole embryo imaged by OPT showing the positioning of the heart and somites (which will form the skeletal muscle) positively stained for MF20.

developing embryonic heart

High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy 3D movie of a 14.5 days post coitum (dpc) mouse head. This image was created using 3D reconstruction HREM data. In HREM samples are embedded in a plastic that has been stained with eosin (a fluorescent dye). A microtome is used to slice away fine sections of the sample (as thin as 2 microns), then an image of the remaining block is captured after each slice is taken. These images are stored by a computer and using computer software are put together to create a three dimensional animation of the whole structure of the sample. Images are captured of the block surface rather than individual sections as this allows for perfectly aligned image date as the physical act of cutting sections can distort structures. Using computer software and altering the greyscale mapping of the voxel data, different structures within the head can be visualised or highlighted. Colour channels can then be added to the 3D reconstruction to highlight tissue density as shown here.

Wellcome Image Award - Special Award winner 2009 Wellcome Image Awards 2009.

Movie of a mouse head in development

The mitotic spindle of a dividing kidney cell has been stained green to show the tubulin. Desmosomal junctions between the cells are disrupted during cell division and can be seen in red.

Mitotic spindle in a kidney cell

A mouse nucleus at the pachytene stage of meiosis. The green stain highlights the synaptonemal complex protein 3, a component of the structure that holds the two chromosomes of a pair together prior to recombination.

Mouse chromosomes at the pachytene stage of meiosis. The green stain highlights the synaptonemal complex, a structure that holds the two chromosomes of a pair together prior to recombination. The red stain shows the tumour suppressor protein, BRCA1, binding to the sex chromosomes and to all the telomeres. BRCA1 is thought to be involved in inactivation of the X-chromosome during meiosis, DNA repair, and the regulation of cell division especially in cells lining the milk ducts in the breast. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene are associated with an increased risk of breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancer.

This image shows a 3D reconstruction of a chick embryonic heart at HH32 (based on chick embryonic staging system developed by Hamburger and Hamilton (HH)). This images was constructed from section data created using High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM). This method produces fine histological data by capturing images of the block surface during sectioning - Computor software is subsequently able to create detailed 3D reconstructions from these perfectly aligned serial sections, to show remarkably detailed images of internal heart morphology including chamber trabeculation, valve detail and positioning of vessels.

3D reconstruction of chick heart

Developing embryonic heart

Cross section through a seminiferous tubule showing the developing sperm with their tails pointing into the lumen of the tubule. The nuclei are stained blue with DAPI and mitochondria red with mitotracker. Sperm have a large number of mitochondria to power their swim towards the egg. The image has been volume rendered using Imaris. Wellcome Image Awards 2008.

Seminiferous tubule

Macrophage showing the nucleus in blue and the microtubules in green.

A 12.5 dpc developing mouse embryo, stained with an antibody that recognises Hepatic Nuclear Factor 3b (HNF3b). This is a transcription factor that is required for the expression of sonic hedgehog (Shh) in the notochord and in the floor plate of the developing neural tube. It is also expressed in the midbrain and important for normal neural development. This image was produced using immunohistochemistry techniques imaged with Optical Projection Tomography (OPT) to show the position of the HNF3b staining within the embryo.

Developing neural tube

Mouse chromosomes at the pachytene stage of meiosis. The green stain highlights the synaptonemal complex, a structure that holds the two chromosomes of a pair together prior to recombination. The blue stain shows the loosely condensed DNA. The red stain shows the tumour suppressor protein, BRCA1, binding to the sex chromosomes and to all the telomeres. BRCA1 is thought to be involved in inactivation of the X-chromosome during meiosis, DNA repair, and the regulation of cell division especially in cells lining the milk ducts in the breast. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene are associated with an increased risk of breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancer.

Five mouse nuclei at the pachytene stage of meiosis. The green stain highlights the synaptonemal complex protein 3, a component of the structure that holds the two chromosomes of a pair together prior to recombination. The top left nucleus is at late pachytene when the synaptonemal complexes are beginning to break down.

This illustration represents the gene timer system. Two 'timer' genes have been identified that control the number of times neural progenitor cells (those that will form neurons and brain cells) devide during development. The cells are depicted in an hourglass to associate thier increase in population size and development with time.

A Gene Timer system

This movie shows a 3D reconstruction of 16 days post coitum (dpc) trisomy 16 embryonic mouse heart using EFIC data. Trisomy 16 is a condition whereby the embryo has three copies of chromosome 16, leading to developmental abnormalities and is also the mouse model for Downs syndrome as mouse chromosome 16 is homologous to human chromosome 21.


EFIC is a high-resolution imaging technique that utilises the natural auto-fluorescence of tissue to capture image data. Samples are imbedded in a wax block and sectioned, an image is captured of the blocks surface rather than the cut section, this results in no distortion of structures and the images are perfectly aligned and can be converted into 3D models using computer software.

Movie: 16 dpc mouse heart

Composite image showing an embryonic heart from a mouse embryo at stage E18.5. The coronary circulation is crucial to the hearts function as it provides blood to the thick muscle tissue of the heart itself. These coronary arteries are very small and difficult to image using standard techniques, they are normaly observed by injecting the coronary circulation with a dye and using x-rays to image. 

This image was produced from data obtained using High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) and recombined using 3D reconstruction software. This technique captures images of the block surface of an embedded sample during serial sectioning. Imaging the block rather than the section prevents distortion of structures and provides a greater level of detail. The coronary arteries were reconstructed by selecting for the 'holes' present in the section data, which was inverted and reconstructed from the complete section image stack and over-laid on top of the whole structure to show their positioning.

Mouse heart showing position of coronary arteries

Five mouse nuclei showing chromosomes at the pachytene stage of meiosis. The green stain highlights the synaptonemal complex, a structure that holds the two chromosomes of a pair together prior to recombination. The blue stain shows the loosely condensed DNA. The top left nucleus is at late pachytene when the synaptonemal complexes are beginning to break down and the DNA is becoming more condensed.

Sections of a developing mouse embryo, created using a new imaging technique called High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM). This technique allows for creation of detailed histological data from embryonic samples by imaging the block surface during sectioning rather than the conventional method of aligning individual sections. this prevents distortion of structures caused by sectioning. Samples are imbedded in plastic containing a fluorescent dye (eosin) and imaged using GFP illumination. Perfectly aligned section data can be generated in any plain with the creation of virtual sections by computor software.

Sections of developing mouse embryo

Cardiac muscle stained for mitochondria. Mitochondria provide the energy to power contraction of the muscle.

Five mouse nuclei at the pachytene stage of meiosis showing the tumour suppressor protein, BRCA1, binding to the sex chromosomes and to all the telomeres. BRCA1 is thought to be involved in inactivation of the X-chromosome during meiosis, DNA repair, and the regulation of cell division especially in cells lining the milk ducts in the breast. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene are associated with an increased risk of breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancer.

BRCA1 during meiosis

A cultured cell stained to show the nucleus in blue, the tubulin in green and the mitochondria in red.

Cell showing tubulin and mitochondria

Five mouse nuclei showing chromosomes at the pachytene stage of meiosis. The green stain highlights the synaptonemal complex, a structure that holds the two chromosomes of a pair together prior to recombination. The red stain shows the tumour suppressor protein, BRCA1, binding to the sex chromosomes and to all the telomeres. The top left nucleus is at late pachytene when the synaptonemal complexes are beginning to break down and BRCA1 staining is very intense on the telomeres. BRCA1 is thought to be involved in inactivation of the X-chromosome during meiosis, DNA repair, and the regulation of cell division especially in cells lining the milk ducts in the breast. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene are associated with an increased risk of breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancer.

3D image of a developing mouse head at embryonic stage E14.5. This image was created using 3D reconstruction of high resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) data. In HREM samples are embedded in a plastic that has been stained with eosin (a fluorescent dye). A microtome is used to slice away fine sections of the sample (as thin as 2 microns), then an image of the remaining block is captured after each slice is taken. These images are stored by a computer and using computer software are put together to create a three dimensional animation of the whole structure of the sample. Images are captured of the block surface rather than individual sections as this allows for perfectly aligned image date as the physical act of cutting sections can distort structures. Using computer software and altering the greyscale mapping of the voxel data, different structures within the head can be visualised or highlighted. Colour channels can then be added to the 3D reconstruction to highlight tissue density as shown here.

Wellcome Image Award - Special Award winner 2009 Wellcome Image Awards 2009.

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Meiosis

developing embryonic heart

Movie of a mouse head in development

Mitotic spindle in a kidney cell

Meiosis

Meiosis

3D reconstruction of chick heart

Developing embryonic heart

Seminiferous tubule

Macrophage showing the nucleus in blue and the microtubules in green.

Developing neural tube

Meiosis

Meiosis

A Gene Timer system

Movie: 16 dpc mouse heart

Mouse heart showing position of coronary arteries

Meiosis

Meiosis

Sections of developing mouse embryo

Cardiac muscle stained for mitochondria. Mitochondria provide the energy to power contraction of the muscle.

BRCA1 during meiosis

Meiosis

Cell showing tubulin and mitochondria

Meiosis

Developing mouse head

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More filters

Active filters:

Meiosis

developing embryonic heart

Movie of a mouse head in development

Mitotic spindle in a kidney cell

Meiosis

Meiosis

3D reconstruction of chick heart

Developing embryonic heart

Seminiferous tubule

Macrophage showing the nucleus in blue and the microtubules in green.

Developing neural tube

Meiosis

Meiosis

A Gene Timer system

Movie: 16 dpc mouse heart

Mouse heart showing position of coronary arteries

Meiosis

Meiosis

Sections of developing mouse embryo

Cardiac muscle stained for mitochondria. Mitochondria provide the energy to power contraction of the muscle.

BRCA1 during meiosis

Meiosis

Cell showing tubulin and mitochondria

Meiosis

Developing mouse head

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

Today's opening times

Wellcome collection