Drosophila Embryo Cross-sections

This week I tried something new. I made cross-sections of Drosophila embryos. In terms of my project, this will allow me to identify tissues that are near the salivary gland and perhaps help to guide it during it's migration into the embryo. From an artistic point of view, I think it's kind of fun to make funny faces.

If you look, this one has two eyes (the salivary glands) a nose and red mouth. And if you're really using your imagination, you might even make out a moustache! (The arrow points to one of the two salivary glands.)

Funny Face


Sad Face


Surprise! Face


Angry Face


It wasn't easy to do the cross-sections. Just think about trying to cut something that small into slices! It's like trying to cut a wet, slimy jellybean with a pencil!