Methods to Quantify In Vivo Phagocytic Uptake and Opsonization of Live or Killed Microbes in Drosophila melanogaster

Here we describe different phagocytosis assays in Drosophila, using various killed or live microbes (bacteria and fungi). Different ex vivo and in vivo approaches are shown, to quantify larval and adult phagocytosis of microorganisms by hemocytes. We also explain how to perform an in vivo opsonization assay. Altogether, these protocols represent a useful range of tools to the researcher interested in the detailed analysis of phagocytosis in the context of the study of host-pathogen relationships.