Studying axonal regeneration by laser microsurgery and high-resolution videomicroscopy

Abstract

Heterogeneous and unpredictable environmental insult, disease, or trauma can affect the integrity and function of neuronal circuits, leading to irreversible neural dysfunction. The peripheral nervous system can robustly regenerate axons after damage to recover the capacity to transmit sensory information to the brain. The mechanisms that allow axonal repair remain incompletely understood. Here we present a preparation in zebrafish that combines laser microsurgery of sensory axons and videomicroscopy of neurons in multicolor transgenic specimens. This simple protocol allows controlled damage of axons and dynamic highresolution visualization and quantification of repair.