Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of PolyQ Protein Aggregation in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> Neurons

Source: Pigazzini, M. L., et. al. Characterization of Amyloid Structures in Aging C. Elegans Using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).This video demonstrates the use of fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to assess polyQ protein aggregation in C. elegans neurons, comparing control and chaperone protein-deficient worms. Increased aggregation in chaperone-deficient worms promotes energy transfer between clustered fluorophores, reducing fluorescence lifetime. FLIM-generated color-coded maps depict these differences, highlighting aggregation levels between experimental groups.