Biosensor Imaging
Genetically encoded biosensors enable dynamic, real-time imaging of cellular activity, revealing how plants sense and respond to their environment.
Macroscopic imaging
By performing biosensor imaging with whole plants or leaves we can understand spatiotemporal signaling dynamics in tissues that manifest from distint cellular responses.
Wounding
Upon wounding Arabidopsis, a systemic calcium wave propagates throughout the orthostichous leaves. Biosensor = R-GECO1 (calcium)
Pathogen
When tobacco plants are infiltrated with Pst DC3000 bacteria that activates effector-triggered immunity (ETI), a localized calcium influx is observed and is followed by hypersensitive cell death. Biosensor = GCaMP3 (calcium)
Microscopic imaging
By performing biosensor imaging at the microscopic scale we can resolve cellular and subcellular signaling dynamics that underlie tissue-level responses.
Pathogen
An Arabidopsis cotyledon was treated with the bacterial flagellin peptide flg22 to activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Rapid calcium influx is observed across epidermal cells. Biosensor = GCaMP3 (calcium).
Pathogen
Arabidopsis cotyledon treated with the bacterial flagellin peptide flg22 to activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Rapid glutamate efflux is observed through the epidermis. Biosensor = iGluSnFr (glutamate).
Pathogen
Tobacco leaves were treated with the bacterial flagellin peptide flg22 to activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Calcium sparks can be seen on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Biosensor = GCaMP6f (calcium).
Pathogen
Arabidopsis rosette leaf discs were treated with the bacterial flagellin peptide flg22 to activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Rapid calcium influx and glutamate efflux is observed across epidermal cells. Biosensors = iGluSnFr (glutamate; left) and R-GECO1 (calcium, right).