New research published ahead of print in the journal Function explores the creation of a new transgenic mouse line that allows for noninvasive study of calcium signaling in the mitochondria—the energy-releasing “powerhouse” of cells.
The new mouse line, called ROSA26-mt-Cam, is ideal for using fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based imaging of mitochondrial matrix calcium signaling both in vitro and ex vivo, on isolated cells and in living tissue.
“We created the first line of transgenic mice of our knowledge that allows expression in a cell type of choice of a ratiometric Ca2+ probe, targeted to mitochondria,” the researchers wrote. “This new transgenic mouse line allows the study of mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics in different tissues with no invasive intervention (such as viral infection or electroporation), potentially allowing simple calibration of the fluorescent signals in terms of mitochondrial Ca2+ concentrations.”
Read the full article, “A new transgenic mouse line for imaging mitochondrial calcium signals.” Contact the APS Communications Office to schedule an interview with the research team.
