Biology subjects

Liu, T.-L.

Publications and source records attributed to Liu, T.-L..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Cortical Column and Whole Brain Imaging of Neural Circuits with Molecular Contrast and Nanoscale Resolution

Optical and electron microscopy have made tremendous inroads in understanding the complexity of the brain, but the former offers insufficient resolution to reveal subcellular details and the latter lacks the throughput and molecular contrast to visualize specific molecular constituents over mm-scale or larger dimensions. We combined expansion microscopy and lattice light sheet microscopy to image the nanoscale spatial relationships between proteins across the thickness of the mouse cortex or the entire Drosophila brain, including synaptic proteins at dendritic spines, myelination along axons, and presynaptic densities at dopaminergic neurons in every fly neuropil domain. The technology should enable statistically rich, large scale studies of neural development, sexual dimorphism, degree of stereotypy, and structural correlations to behavior or neural activity, all with molecular contrast.\n\nOne Sentence SummaryCombined expansion and lattice light sheet microscopy enables high speed, nanoscale molecular imaging of neural circuits over large volumes.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2017

Lamellar Junctions In The Endolymphatic Sac Act As A Relief Valve To Regulate Inner Ear Pressure

The inner ear is a fluid-filled closed-epithelial structure whose normal function requires maintenance of an internal hydrostatic pressure and fluid composition by unknown mechanisms. The endolymphatic sac (ES) is a dead-end epithelial tube connected to the inner ear. ES defects can cause distended ear tissue, a pathology often seen in hearing and balance disorders. Using live imaging of zebrafish larvae, we reveal that the ES undergoes cycles of slow pressure-driven inflation followed by rapid deflation every 1-3 hours. Using serial-section electron microscopy and adaptive optics lattice light-sheet microscopy, we find a pressure relief valve in the ES comprised of thin overlapping basal lamellae that dynamically extend over neighboring cells before rupturing under pressure leading to ES collapse. The unexpected discovery of a physical relief valve in the ear emphasizes the need for further study into how organs control fluid pressure, volume, flow, and ion homeostasis in development and disease.

developmental biology↗