Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026
06:46
Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species
Published on: March 29, 2019
13.2K
From Sample to Data: Preparing, Obtaining, and Analyzing Images of Plant-Pathogen Interactions Using Confocal
Helen N Fones1, George R Littlejohn2
1Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. h.n.eyles@exeter.ac.uk.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 31, 2017
Summary
This study details how to infect host plants with fungi and observe the infection using confocal microscopy. The method is demonstrated using wheat and the Zymoseptoria tritici fungus, with options for fluorescent or stained fungal strains.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Mycology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Understanding plant-fungus interactions is crucial for crop protection.
- Septoria leaf blotch, caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, significantly impacts wheat yields.
- Visualizing fungal infection dynamics requires robust methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a detailed protocol for inoculating host plants with fungi.
- To describe methods for visualizing fungal infections using confocal microscopy.
- To offer adaptable techniques for different fungal strains and host systems.
Main Methods:
- Host plant inoculation with a fungus of interest.
- Confocal microscopy for visualizing fungal infection.
- Utilizing GFP-tagged fungal strains or alternative staining techniques.
Main Results:
- Successful inoculation and visualization of Zymoseptoria tritici in wheat.
- Demonstration of confocal microscopy for observing fungal-host interactions.
- Adaptable staining methods provided for non-fluorescent fungal strains.
Conclusions:
- The described protocol enables effective visualization of plant-fungus interactions.
- Confocal microscopy is a powerful tool for studying fungal pathogenesis in crops.
- The methodology is adaptable for various fungal pathogens and host plants.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy
7.3K
To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
7.3K
01:18Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy
11.2K
Optical microscopy uses optic principles to provide detailed images of samples. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek designed the first compound optical microscope in the 17th century to visualize blood cells, bacteria, and yeast cells. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes with enhanced magnification and resolution.
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
11.2K
01:16Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
21.3K
Confocal microscopy is an advanced microscopic technique. The prime advantage of the confocal microscope over other microscopy techniques is its ability to block the out-of-focus light from the illuminated samples using pinholes. It is widely used with fluorescence optics to obtain high-resolution, sharp contrast images. Unlike optical microscopes, confocal microscopes use a focused beam of light laser to scan the entire sample surface at different z-planes. These microscopes are, therefore,...
21.3K
01:25Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
998
Epidemiological data primarily involves information on specific populations' occurrence, distribution, and determinants of health and diseases. This data is crucial for understanding disease patterns and impacts, aiding public health decision-making and disease prevention strategies. The analysis of epidemiological data employs various statistical methods to interpret health-related data effectively. Here are some commonly used methods:
998
01:12Statistical Methods to Analyze Parametric Data: ANOVA
1.7K
Analysis of Variance, or ANOVA, is a powerful statistical technique used to analyze parametric data, primarily in research and experimental studies. It's designed to compare the means of two or more groups, assisting researchers in identifying any significant differences between these group means. There are two main types of ANOVA based on the complexity of the analysis: one-way and two-way.
One-way ANOVA is applied when a single independent variable or factor is scrutinized. It compares...
One-way ANOVA is applied when a single independent variable or factor is scrutinized. It compares...
1.7K
02:01Plant Cells and Tissues
66.0K
Plant tissues are collections of similar cells performing related functions. Different plant tissues will have their own specialized roles and can be combined with other tissues to form organs such as flowers, fruit, stem, and leaves. Two major types of plant tissue include meristematic and permanent tissue.
66.0K