Asymmetric cell division in a live zebrafish embryo

Time-lapse confocal microscopy of asymmetric cell division in the brain of a live zebrafish embryo. This image sequence shows a single neural progenitor (a cell which can divide and differentiate into a limited number of neural cell types) dividing to produce two daughter cells. One is a neurone (white; upper cell) and the other a progenitor cell (lower cell) which itself divides at the end of the time lapse (right most three images in sequence). Cell nuclei (purple) and cell membranes (green) are visible. This asymmetric mode of cell division allows simultaneous production of both neurones and neural progenitors which are essential for controlling brain growth and differentiation. Zebrafish embryos are transparent which makes visualising this process ideal. Time lapse lasts approximately 9 hours and width of image is approximately 270 micrometres.