Detecting Anastasis In Vivo by CaspaseTracker Biosensor

The overall goal of this procedure is to detect and track reversal of the cell death process after caspase activation in live animals using Drosophila melanogaster as a model. In response to death stimulus, cells undergo programmed cell death such as apoptosis which has traditionally been considered as an irreversible cascade leading to cell death. Interestingly, however, after removal of the death stimulus, some dying cells can reverse the cell death process even at the late stage.

Through a newly discovered cell recovery phenomenon called anastasis. Live cell microscopy shows that apoptotic dying cells display unique morphological hallmarks, such as plasmid membrane blebbing, nuclear condensation, and cell shrinkage. In general, these cells are expected to die.