3D FISH imaging in the embryonic quail heart

Due to its accessibility, hemodynamics can be imaged in early stage quail embryo hearts longitudinally. Our group has linked abnormal shear stress patterns caused by regurgitant blood flow with resultant congenital heart defects (CHDs). To understand the mechanisms behind the development of these CHDs, it is imperative to image molecular expression at the sites of abnormal shear stress. However, molecular probes for the quail model are not extensive and 3D imaging is needed to accurately identify regions of interest in the looping heart. In this study, we present HCR FISH probes that target the shear stress responsive genes