Genetically Encoded Biosensors in Plants: Pathways to Discovery

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Genetically encoded biosensors, initially developed as fluorescent calcium indicators over 20 years ago, have significantly advanced.
• This technology now offers a diverse range of tools for monitoring molecules crucial to plant physiology and development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution and applications of genetically encoded biosensors in plant biology.
• To highlight the impact of biosensors, particularly genetically encoded calcium indicators, on understanding plant processes.
• To discuss the discoveries enabled by biosensors for various molecules and the associated technological developments.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on genetically encoded biosensors in plants.
• Focus on genetically encoded calcium indicators as a leading biosensor type.
• Examination of biosensor applications for calcium, pH, reactive oxygen species, redox state, metabolites, hormones, and nutrients.

Main Results:

• Genetically encoded biosensors have become diverse and sophisticated tools in plant science.
• Significant discoveries in plant physiology and development have been achieved using these biosensors.
• The advancement of biosensor technology is intrinsically linked to engineering, characterization, optimization, and detection methodologies.

Conclusions:

• Genetically encoded biosensors, especially calcium indicators, are indispensable for dissecting complex plant processes.
• Continued development in biosensor engineering and detection methods will further accelerate plant science discoveries.
• These tools provide unprecedented spatiotemporal insights into molecular dynamics influencing plant life.