The lack of tools to measure material properties and tensional parameters in vivo prevents validating their roles during development. We employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoparticle-tracking to quantify mechanical features on the intact zebrafish embryo yolk cell during epiboly. These methods are reliable and widely applicable avoiding intrusive interventions.
Marsal, M., Jorba, I., Rebollo, E., Luque, T., Navajas, D., Martín-Blanco, E. AFM and Microrheology in the Zebrafish Embryo Yolk Cell. J. Vis. Exp. (129), e56224, doi:10.3791/56224 (2017).