Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis of Small Hearts
Summary
We have developed a Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis method (SOHA) for analyzing high speed optical recordings from Drosophila, zebrafish and embryonic mouse hearts. We demonstrate the application of our methodology to the analysis of heart function in fruit fly and embryonic mouse hearts.
Abstract
Protocol
Discussion
The Drosophila model has proven to be a powerful genetic tool that has been used to address a variety of scientific questions ranging from embryological development to learning and memory. Recently this versatile model organism has been used to investigate the genetics of heart function. A number of attempts to quantify heart physiology in adult Drosophila have relied on observations made in intact flies through the abdominal cuticle. Most of these approaches depend upon visual observation or recordings of changes in li…
Divulgations
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgements
KO and AC are supported by a grant and a fellowship from the American Heart Association. SIB and RB are supported by grants from NIH.
Materials
| Material Name | Type | Company | Catalogue Number | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MatLab software | Math Works, Inc | Required environment for the analysis software. | ||
| EM-CCD digital camera | Hamamatsu Corp. | 9100 or 9300 | Other high speed digital cameras will also work. | |
| HC image data capture software | Hamamatsu Corp. | Other image capture software that produces movies in avi format will also work. | ||
| Light Microscope with 10x objective | Leica | A dipping lens that eliminates the air water interface greatly improves resolution |
References
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