In vivo Imaging of the Mouse Spinal Cord Using Two-photon Microscopy

The goal of this procedure is to perform stable in vivo imaging in the mouse spinal cord using two photon microscopy. This is accomplished by first anesthetizing the animal with an anesthetic mix that achieve a steady yet calm breathing rhythm. The second step of the procedure is to expose the spinal column at the desired level and then perform a laminectomy to expose the underlying spinal cord so that it can be imaged in vivo.

The third step is to place the animal on the spinal stabilization device. The final step is the isolation of the exposed spinal cord segment. In preparation for in vivo imaging, ultimately, results can be obtained that detail the dynamic behavior of cells and their interactions with other cell types or structures in the living spinal cord through time-lapse in vivo imaging using two photon microscopy.