Figure 2. Schematic of the study of mitochondrial function in vivo.

The use of fluorophores in conjunction with in vivo imaging to evaluate intracellular function can be summarize as such: (1) a fluorescent indicator is injected into the cortex of the mouse model, (2) and after 3 weeks viral expression should be sufficient for imaging. (3) At this point a cranial widow is surgically implanted and (4) in vivo imaging with multiphoton microscopy may commence. Left image represents a cranial window in the mouse skull. Field of view shows the reporter in neuronal mitochondria (green) and the blood vessels labeled with fluorescent Dextran Texas Red (red). Pseudocolor images represent the color coded (according to the lower bar) mitochondrial Ca²⁺ concentrations for the corresponding neurites. Warm colors represent high Ca²⁺, whereas blue colors represent low Ca²⁺ concentration. Scale bar represents 15 μm.