Measuring Calcium Signaling at the Primary Cilia

Cellular signaling is nature's ingenious way for cells to perceive their surroundings and transmit external cues to internal compartments. Due to its critical role in cellular functions, the intricate machinery of molecular signaling has been intensively studied. A diverse arsenal of techniques exists to quantify the molecules involved in these processes. Among them, calcium stands out as a ubiquitous signaling molecule with roles in countless biological pathways. To elucidate its function as a second messenger, methods for measuring intracellular calcium have steadily evolved. This chapter introduces various methods for investigating calcium signaling cascades in cells as well as in cilia (thin hairlike projections) specifically, where calcium signaling is triggered by different cilial manipulation techniques.