Long-term live imaging of the<i>Drosophila</i>adult midgut reveals real-time dynamics of cell division, differentiation, and loss

The study presented a novel platform for extended live imaging of the adult Drosophila midgut, allowing researchers to observe cell division, differentiation, and loss in real time. By creating a window in a living Drosophila, the midgut could be imaged while remaining intact and functional, enabling imaging sessions of 12-16 hours. This method revealed new cell behaviors, such as the dynamic re-orientation of mitotic stem cells, delayed Notch activation in daughter cells, and enterocyte extrusion through a pulsatile cadherin ring. This platform provided new insights into the dynamics of midgut organ renewal, offering a deeper understanding of cellular processes that were previously difficult to study.