Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Microscopy Techniques for Interpreting Fungal Colonization in Mycoheterotrophic Plants Tissues and Symbiotic Germination of Seeds
11:48

Microscopy Techniques for Interpreting Fungal Colonization in Mycoheterotrophic Plants Tissues and Symbiotic Germination of Seeds

Published on: May 17, 2022

Immunofluorescence microscopy and immunogold EM for investigating fungal infection of plants

Christopher R Thornton1, Nicholas J Talbot

  • 1School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK. c.r.thornton@ex.ac.uk

Nature Protocols
|April 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study details immunofluorescence (IF), immuno-enzymatic staining (IES), and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) techniques for tracking fungal organisms and their protein products. These antibody-based methods offer sensitive and specific visualization for fungal biology research.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Microscopy

Background:

  • Fungi are vital eukaryotic organisms impacting plant productivity, human health, and medicine.
  • Tracking fungal organisms and their protein products requires sensitive and specific techniques.
  • Monoclonal antibody-based methods enable visualization of fungi and study of their antigens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe three antibody-based techniques for fungal biology research: immunofluorescence (IF), immuno-enzymatic staining (IES), and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM).
  • To highlight the applicability of these techniques in visualizing fungi and studying their antigens at the subcellular level.
  • To demonstrate the adaptability of these methods for studying other eukaryotic organisms.

Main Methods:

  • Immunofluorescence (IF)
  • Immuno-enzymatic staining (IES)
  • Immunoelectron microscopy (IEM)

Main Results:

  • IF and IES provide results within 4-5 hours.
  • IEM sample preparation requires approximately 4 days, with gold labeling and visualization completed within 4 hours.
  • These techniques allow for sensitive and specific visualization of fungi and their protein products.

Conclusions:

  • IF, IES, and IEM are valuable tools for studying fungal biology.
  • These immunotechniques offer sensitive and specific detection of fungal antigens.
  • The described methods are adaptable for broader eukaryotic organism research.

More Related Videos

Application of Membrane and Cell Wall Selective Fluorescent Dyes for Live-Cell Imaging of Filamentous Fungi07:44

Application of Membrane and Cell Wall Selective Fluorescent Dyes for Live-Cell Imaging of Filamentous Fungi

Published on: November 28, 2019

Fluorescent Immunolocalization of Arabinogalactan Proteins and Pectins in the Cell Wall of Plant Tissues10:14

Fluorescent Immunolocalization of Arabinogalactan Proteins and Pectins in the Cell Wall of Plant Tissues

Published on: February 27, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Immunogold Electron Microscopy01:20

Immunogold Electron Microscopy

Immunoelectron microscopy utilizes immunogold labeling of endogenous proteins with specific antibodies to detect and localize these proteins in cells and tissues. The procedure provides insights into the distribution and quantification of protein under different stimulation conditions offering clues about their functions. Conjugating highly electron-dense gold particles with primary or secondary antibodies allow antigen detection on and within cells, with high resolution and specificity.
Immunofluorescence Microscopy01:12

Immunofluorescence Microscopy

A fluorescence microscope uses fluorescent chromophores called fluorochromes, which can absorb energy from a light source and then emit this energy as visible light. Fluorochromes include naturally fluorescent substances (such as chlorophylls) and fluorescent stains that are added to the specimen to create contrast. Dyes such as Texas red and FITC are examples of fluorochromes. Other examples include the nucleic acid dyes 4’,6’-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and acridine orange.
The...