A new effective method for quantitative estimation of changes in Drosophila fat reserves using magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the promising methods actively used not only in medicine, but in biology as well; it allows for scanning of an object within the span of a few minutes, representing a unique noninvasive and nondestructive research tool. The possibility of using magnetic resonance imaging for the quantitative analysis of fat reserves in Drosophila melanogaster females has been shown. The data obtained demonstrate that quantitative magnetic resonance imaging gives an accurate quantitative assessment of fat stores and allows to effectively evaluate their changes under chronic stress.