Protocol to locally express cxcl12a during zebrafish olfactory organ development by combining IR-LEGO with live imaging.

ABSTRACT

Temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression is crucial for proper embryonic development. Infrared laser-evoked gene operator (IR-LEGO) can provide information for various developmental processes. Here, we present a protocol to locally express cxcl12a during zebrafish olfactory organ development1 using a combination of IR-LEGO and live imaging. We describe steps for implementing IR-LEGO, biological sample preparation, live imaging, data collection, and analysis. This protocol can be applied to virtually any genetically modified experimental organism.