Featured image with Martín Estermann
Posted by FocalPlane, on 15 September 2023
Our featured image, acquired by Martín Estermann, is a 3D reconstruction of C. elegans transgenic embryos. Embryos were imaged live using a Zeiss Celldiscoverer 7 microscope. The 3D reconstruction was performed using Fiji. Histones in are shown in green and the cell membrane in magenta.
![](https://focalplane.biologists.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-3-1024x972.jpg)
We caught up with Martín to find out about his research and what he is excited about in microscopy.
Research career so far: I did my undergrad in Argentina at UNNOBA university. Then I moved to Melbourne, Australia to do my PhD at Monash University. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow at NIEHS, North Carolina, USA.
Current research: I am particularly interested in genetics, developmental biology, evo-devo, and specifically in sex determination and gonadal development.
Favourite imaging technique/microscope: I love fluorescence microscopy. I mostly work with confocal microscopes, but I am trying to get more training using light-sheet microscopy.
What are you most excited about in microscopy? I am really interested in visualizing embryonic development in real time using microscopy. I want to move from the 2D imaging of histological sections to the 3D imaging of whole organs or embryos. I am really attracted to 3D renderings of fluorescently labelled embryos from different species at different developmental time points; they are mesmerizing.
Martín is an Ambassador for our sister site, preLights. You can read their interview with Martín here: https://prelights.biologists.com/news/meet-the-prelights-ambassadors-martin-estermann/