The image visualizes a transparent mouse embryo at embryonic day 12.5 with fluorescently labeled motor neurons captured in time and space. This unique technique allowed 3D reconstructions of 19 developing motor nerves with measurement precision of several micrometers. 

Using this model, we found that SorCS2 deficiency specifically affects axon outgrowth of posterior brachial motor neurons, their cell fate decisions, and macrophage-to-motor-axon-related cell communication via SorCS2 interaction with progranulin.

The cover image is credited to Josef Lavicky and Alena Salasova.

• Read the original paper:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113333