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Updated: Feb 21, 2026

RGB and Spectral Root Imaging for Plant Phenotyping and Physiological Research: Experimental Setup and Imaging Protocols

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Published on: August 8, 2017

Quantum Light Imaging of the Plant Root─Rhizobacteria─System Using iLOV Fluorescence.

Oleg Varnavksi¹, Tse-Min Chiang², Sajal Kumar Giri²

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103, United States.

Journal of the American Chemical Society

|February 19, 2026

Summary

Researchers used entangled photons for low-light microscopy, enabling non-damaging imaging of plant roots and microbes. This quantum imaging technique allows for extended observation of biological interactions without altering native behavior.

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Area of Science:

Quantum optics
Biophysics
Microscopy

Background:

Two-photon microscopy traditionally requires high light intensity, risking damage to biological samples.
Quantum states of light offer potential for reduced excitation intensity in microscopy.
Understanding plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere is crucial for agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate entangled two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy (ETPFM) for biological imaging.
To assess the feasibility of using iLOV protein as a molecular label with ETPFM.
To image biological samples, including wheat roots and bacteria, under extremely low light conditions.

Main Methods:

Utilized entangled photon pairs for fluorescence excitation in microscopy.
Performed electronic structure calculations to model the entangled two-photon absorption (ETPA) cross section of iLOV.
Imaged wheat plant roots, purified iLOV protein, and bacterial cells (Pantoea sp. YR343) expressing iLOV.

Main Results:

Successfully achieved ETPFM imaging of biological samples at extremely low excitation intensity.
Electronic structure calculations confirmed iLOV's FMN chromophore has a significant ETPA cross section.
Demonstrated the feasibility of using iLOV as a molecular label for plant-microbe interaction studies via entangled photon imaging.

Conclusions:

ETPFM enables non-invasive and non-destructive imaging of delicate biological systems.
iLOV protein is a suitable molecular label for quantum imaging applications.
Entangled photon imaging offers a promising approach for long-term studies of living organisms without optical damage.