Firing Up

As if guided by fire, a procession of cells threads its way slowly up the centre of the cavernous embryo. A high-powered microscope highlights early sensory organ cells (green), as they move into place, having spilt away from a pool of anterior placode cells, a precious form of early stem cell with the potential to become everything from nerve to bone. Once migrated into place, these will populate the tissues of this early zebrafish, just as similar cells do in human embryos. This time-lapse video (captured over eight hours) also shows flame-like melanocytes settling below the developing skin. Zebrafish make excellent model organisms – sharing many of our genes and providing developmental biologists with a vital window onto the delicate early stages of life.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Video by Dr. Eduardo Zattara - 1st Place in the Nikon Small World in Motion Competition 2022
• CONICET National Scientific and Technical Research Council Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina
• Video copyright held by Dr. Eduardo Zattara