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3D X-ray microscopy pioneered for plant imaging Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in the US have used X-ray microscope technology to image plant cells, whole tissues and even organs at unprecedented depths with cellular resolution.
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“Plants are multiscale,” explained Dr
plant, such as meristem cells, to visible traits as
Christopher Topp, who co-led the new research
they mature, such as leaves and flowers; in other
alongside scientist Keith Duncan. “An ear of corn
words, 3D XRM provides cellular-level resolution
starts off as a microscopic group of cells called a
of entire plant organs and tissues. In addition, the
heir work, published in the journal
meristem. Meristem cells will eventually form all
methodology can image below-ground structures
Plant Physiology, should enable plant scientists
the visible parts of the corn plant through division
at exceptional resolution, including roots, fungi
globally to study above- and below-ground traits
and growth.”
and other microbes.
at supposedly unprecedented clarity.
Using three-dimensional (3D) imaging is a
“Plant roots drive a lot of important biological
Measuring plant phenotypes, a term used
recent innovation in the plant biology sector to
processes; they feed microbes in the soil, and in
to describe the observable characteristics of
capture phenotypes on the ‘whole-plant’ scale: from
return the plants get phosphorus and nitrogen,”
an organism, is a critical aspect of studying
minuscule cells and organelles in the roots, up to the
Dr Topp said. “We know the interaction between
and improving economically important crops.
leaves and flowers. However, current 3D imaging
roots and microbes is important because it was a
Phenotypes central to the breeding process include
processes are limited by time-consuming sample
primary source of phosphorus and nitrogen before
traits like kernel number in corn, seed size in wheat
preparation and by imaging depth, usually reaching
we invented chemical fertilisers.”
or fruit colour in grape. These features are visible
only a few layers of cells within a plant tissue.
Our dependency on chemical fertilisers in
to the naked human eye but are in fact driven by
The use of 3D X-ray microscopy (XRM)
standard agricultural practices has, in turn, made
microscopic molecular and cellular processes in
technology allowed Dr Topp and Duncan to
major contributions to global climate change.
the plant.
relate the developmental microstructure of the
Therefore, a critical component of the sustainable
20 | LAB+LIFE SCIENTIST - Feb/Mar 2022
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