Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
A team of expert scientists led by Kirk Czymmek, PhD, director of the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and Heather E. McFarlane, assistant professor at the University of Toronto and collaborators from the Danforth Center, University of Leeds (UK), University of Massachusetts (Amherst), University of California – Davis, University of Naples Federico II, University of Minnesota and Université de Montréal, have authored a comprehensive guide to elevate the quality, transparency, and reproducibility of fluorescence microscopy in plant research. The guide was recently published in the journal Plant Cell, “Best Practices in Plant Fluorescence Imaging and Reporting: A Primer”.
Microscopy is a fundamental approach used for plant cell and developmental biology as well as an essential tool for mechanistic studies in plant research. However, setting up a new microscopy-based experiment can be challenging, especially for beginner users, when implementing new imaging workflows or when working in an imaging facility where staff may not have extensive experience with plant samples. The basic principles of optics, chemistry, imaging, and data handling are shared among all cell types. However, unique challenges are faced when imaging plant specimens due to their waxy cuticles, strong/broad spectrum autofluorescence, recalcitrant cell walls, and air spaces that impede fixation or live imaging, impacting sample preparation and image quality.
Read the full press release here.