Mouse embryo manipulations with OCT guidance

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a three-dimensional, non-invasive optical imaging technique that relies on low-coherence interferometry. OCT has the capability of imaging 2 – 3 mm into tissue, which enables imaging of deeper structures within the embryo with a relatively high spatial resolution (2 - 15μm). Within the past decade, OCT has been increasingly used as a live imaging tool for embryonic cardiovascular research in several animal models. Research in our lab has recently shown that OCT can be used in combination with embryo culture for the visualization of early mammalian cardiovascular development (E7.5 – E10.0). Here, we demonstrate that OCT can be used for the guided microinjection of gold-silica nanoshell suspension into the cardiovascular system in live embryos without deleterious effect. This approach shows a promising application for the OCT guided delivery of contrast agents, viral vectors, therapeutic or pharmacological agents, signaling molecules or dyes to specific organ systems or tissues in live embryos and demonstrates a great potential for gold-silica nanoshells as a contrast agent in embryonic studies.