Plant Microtechniques and Protocols

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. Fixation, Processing, Embedding and Staining of Botanical Specimens

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. A Guide to the Study of Plant Structure with Emphasis on Living Specimens

      • Edward C. Yeung

      Pages 3-22

   3. Chemical and Physical Fixation of Cells and Tissues: An Overview

      • Bing Quan Huang, Edward C. Yeung

      Pages 23-43

   4. Paraffin and Polyester Waxes

      • Claudio Stasolla, Edward C. Yeung

      Pages 45-66

   5. The Glycol Methacrylate Embedding Resins—Technovit 7100 and 8100

      • Edward C. Yeung, Colin K. W. Chan

      Pages 67-82

   6. Epoxy Resins for Light and Transmission Electron Microscopy

      • Michael John Sumner

      Pages 83-101

   7. LR White Acrylic Resin

      • Edward C. Yeung, Bing Quan Huang

      Pages 103-116

   8. High-Pressure Freezing and Freeze Substitution of In Vivo and In Vitro Cultured Plant Samples

      • Jose M. Seguí-Simarro

      Pages 117-134

   9. Three-Dimensional Imaging for Electron Microscopy of Plastic-Embedded Plant Specimens

      • Jose M. Seguí-Simarro

      Pages 135-151

   10. Fluorescent Staining of Living Plant Cells

       • Sarah Schoor, Shiu-Cheung Lung, Dustin Sigurdson, Simon D. X. Chuong

       Pages 153-165

   11. Improved Methods for Clearing and Staining of Plant Samples

       • Alexander Lux, Marek Vaculík, Ján Kováč

       Pages 167-178

3. Microtechniques Related to Cell and Molecular Biology Studies

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 179-179

      PDF

   2. Whole-Mount Immunofluorescence Staining of Plant Cells and Tissues

      • Masaki Shimamura

      Pages 181-196

   3. Protoplast Isolation and Staining

      • Shiu-Cheung Lung, Sarah Schoor, Dustin Sigurdson, Makoto Yanagisawa, Kelly Yeung, Mi Qi Liu et al.

      Pages 197-211

   4. Guiding Principles for Live Cell Imaging of Plants Using Confocal Microscopy

      • Subramanian Sankaranarayanan, Marcus A. Samuel

      Pages 213-224

   5. Immunogold Labeling for Electron Microscopy: Strategy and Problem Solving

      • Fengli Guo, Bing Quan Huang

      Pages 225-249

   6. Abscisic Acid Immunostaining

      • Yung-I Lee, Mei-Chu Chung

      Pages 251-261

   7. Plant Chromosome Preparations and Staining for Light Microscopic Studies

      • Subhash C. Hiremath, C. C. Chinnappa

      Pages 263-286

   8. Chromosome Techniques and FISH

      • Mei-Chu Chung

      Pages 287-309

A proper understanding of the structural organization of the plant body is essential to any study in plant biology. Experimental studies in vivo and in situ will lead to structural, physiological, and cellular changes of the experimental material. To study macroscopic and microscopic changes, different histological methods and microtechniques can be used as they provide valuable information of the experimental system. In addition, the observed structural changes allow investigators to set hypothesis for further studies based on one’s own observation. Thus, proper selection and utilization of microtechniques are a must for the success of a research program. At present, an up-to-date collection of protocols are not readily available in the literature. The latest work in plant microtechniques was published in 1999 by Ruzin but many others are no longer in print [e.g., Jensen (1964); O’Brien and McCully (1981)]. Furthermore, a majority of published works focus on techniques related to general processing and staining procedures. A comprehensive treatment that encompasses broader applications of microtechniques to other disciplines is lacking [e.g., archeology, wood science, etc.]. There is a need to create a comprehensive volume of botanical methods and protocols which includes traditional and novel techniques that can be used by researchers in plant science and investigators in other disciplines that require plant microtechniques in their research and teaching. This book covers a wide variety of applications and brings them up-to-date to make them understandable and relevant, especially to students using the methods for the first time. It is our intention to create a useful reference for plant histology and related methods that will serve as a foundation for plant scholars, researchers, and teachers in the plant sciences.​

• archeology
• cellular and molecular biology studies
• plant microtechniques
• staining procedures
• wood preparative methods
• Systematic Botany

• Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, CALGARY, Canada

  Edward Chee Tak Yeung

• Department of Plant Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

  Claudio Stasolla

• Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

  Michael John Sumner

• Center for Basic Research in Digestive Disease, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, USA

  Bing Quan Huang

Edward C. Yeung
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Claudio Stasolla
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Michael J. Sumner
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Bing Q. Huang
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

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