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Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light

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Light plays a significant role in regulating the growth and development of plants. In addition to providing energy for photosynthesis, light provides other important cues to regulate a range of developmental and physiological responses in plants.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species

Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species

Published on: March 29, 2019

Green light for quantitative live-cell imaging in plants.

Guido Grossmann^1,2, Melanie Krebs¹, Alexis Maizel¹

¹Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Journal of Cell Science

|January 24, 2018

Summary

Plant cell biology research is advancing with new live-cell imaging techniques. These methods overcome challenges like autofluorescence and light scattering for better plant science insights.

Keywords:

Imaging Plant cell biology Plant growth

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Last Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species

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Published on: March 29, 2019

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Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins

Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins

Published on: December 24, 2017

Area of Science:

Plant cell biology
Live-cell imaging
Plant science

Background:

Plants possess remarkable plasticity enabling adaptation to diverse environments.
Understanding this competence requires advanced live-cell imaging in plant tissues.
Transgenic reporter lines facilitate plant cell biology research.

Purpose of the Study:

To review challenges and state-of-the-art techniques for live-cell imaging in plants.
To highlight methods overcoming plant-specific imaging obstacles.
To discuss advancements in quantitative plant cell imaging.

Main Methods:

Adaptation and development of minimal or non-invasive live-cell imaging methodologies.
Utilizing transgenic reporter lines in specific genetic backgrounds.
Employing advanced microscopy techniques like two-photon, light sheet, and variable angle epifluorescence microscopy.
Developing specialized mounting and incubation systems, including microfluidics.

Main Results:

Identified key challenges in plant cell imaging: autofluorescence, light scattering from cell walls, and environmental sensitivity.
Reviewed advanced imaging techniques suitable for plant samples.
Demonstrated the potential of these techniques for high-performance, minimally invasive imaging.

Conclusions:

Overcoming plant-specific imaging challenges is crucial for advancing plant cell biology.
State-of-the-art techniques enable high-quality quantitative live-cell imaging in plants.
Continued development of imaging and incubation systems will further enhance plant science research.