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Root expansion microscopy: A robust method for super resolution imaging in Arabidopsis.
Magali S Grison1, Guillaume Maucort2,3, Amandine Dumazel1
1Laboratoire de Biogenèse Membranaire, UMR5200, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, 33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France.
The Plant Cell
|April 10, 2025
Summary
ROOT-ExM is a new expansion microscopy method for plant tissues. It enables nanoscale imaging of plant cell structures, overcoming previous limitations in plant biology research.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Microscopy
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Expansion microscopy (ExM) enables super-resolution imaging by physically enlarging samples.
- Existing ExM methods are not optimized for the unique challenges of plant tissues.
- Super-resolution imaging in plants is crucial for understanding cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel ExM technique for plant tissues.
- To achieve nanoscale visualization of plant subcellular structures.
- To overcome limitations in plant super-resolution microscopy.
Main Methods:
- ROOT-ExM: A new expansion microscopy protocol for plant tissues.
- Utilized immunolocalization, compartment-specific dyes, and native fluorescence.
- Combined ROOT-ExM with STED and lattice light sheet microscopy.
Main Results:
- ROOT-ExM provides isotropic 4-fold expansion, enhancing resolution.
- Successfully imaged organelles (Golgi, ER), cytoskeleton, and plasmodesmata.
- Achieved unprecedented resolution of plasmodesmata and enabled 3D quantitative analysis of cellular processes.
Conclusions:
- ROOT-ExM is an effective and cost-efficient solution for plant super-resolution imaging.
- This method significantly advances the study of plant subcellular architecture.
- Opens new avenues for nanoscale investigations in plant biology.
