The techniques shown here were developed with funding by grants from the Department of Energy (Bioenergy Sciences) and the National Science Foundation.

Part 1: Growing and storing suitable plant material
<ol>
<li>In our experience, young hypocotyls from etiolated cucumber seedlings serve as a convenient source of cell wall material for these experiments. Cucumber seeds are sown on wet paper in a light-proof box, which is keep in a darkened cabinet in a constant temperature room set at 26 &deg;C. The exact temperature is not critical, as anything between 22&deg; and 30 &deg;C should be fine, but the temperature will determine how fast the seedlings reach an appropriate stage of development. The warmer the temperature, the faster the seedlings will develop. We typically use seedlings when they have grown to about 5 cm in length, which is reached 3-4 days after sowing. It is important that the seedling be grown in the dark, as even small amounts of light affect both the rate of seedling development and the cell wall properties that we measure with this technique. On day 3 you can peek in the box, using a dim green filtered light, to check on seedling development.</li>
<li>Seedlings are rapidly cut and packed in small plastic boxes, 100-150 seedlings per box, and stored at -80 &deg;C. At this temperature they remain useful for weeks.</li>
</ol>
Part 2: Preparing cell wall samples
<ol>
<li>Small groups (8-10) of frozen cut seedlings are transferred from the freezer to an insulated container containing a -80 freezer block.</li>
<li>The cuticle covering the hypocotyl is abraded with carborundum. This is done by repeatedly drawing the hypocotyl between the thumb and forefinger, which are coated with a thick slurry of wet carborundum powder. It takes a little experience to know the correct amount of pressure to use: too much pressure and the epidermal layer begins to be shredded and torn; too little pressure and the cuticle will not be permeabilized. One also has to work quickly because as the frozen hypocotyl thaws, it becomes flaccid and hard to manage.</li>
<li>The abraded hypocotyl is dipped in ice water to remove most of the adhering carborundum and then stored on ice water while the remaining hypocotyls are prepared in a similar manner.</li>
<li>The hypocotyls are cut to the desired length, usually 1.2 cm, with a new single edged razor blade and then aligned on a glass slide.</li>
<li>Now we need to flatten the walls to remove cell sap and to facilitate clamping. A second glass slide is placed on top of the group of 8-10 samples, forming a sandwich. A weight (400-500 g) is placed on top of the glass slide for 5 min. For the weight we routinely use a beaker containing a suitable amount of water.</li>
<li>Optional step: Depending on the experiment, the hypocotyls may be inactivated with a brief heat treatment at this point. To do this we bind the glass slides together with a pair of rubber bands, put the assembly in a container with 100 mL of de-ionized water at room temperature and place it in a microwave oven at full power. With our microwave oven the water starts to boil at about 50 s and we stop the microwave 15 s after boiling begins. The hot water is quickly poured off and replaced with cold water to stop denaturation. You may have to vary these timings, as your microwave may be different than ours. With excessive heating the samples become weak and break easily. With insufficient heating the endogenous expansin is not inactivated and the wall samples retain some responsiveness to acidic pH.</li>
</ol>
Part 3: Extensometer setup
<ol>
<li>The wall samples are now clamped in a constant force extensometer. This is a custom-built device that consists of a Plexiglas cuvette for holding the basal end of the wall sample and a moveable clamp attached to the apical end of the sample. The moveable clamp is mounted on the end of a rod that passes through the open coils of a position sensor, an LVDT or 'Linear Variable Differential Transformer', that electronically detects the position of a small metal cylinder, or 'core', that is attached to the rod. The upper end of the rod is linked to a lever with an adjustable counterweight. This lever exerts an adjustable amount of upward force on the wall sample. The force is adjusted by adding or removing calibrated metal weights to the far end of the lever.</li>
<li>Back to the wall sample - the basal end of the hypocotyl sample is picked up with fine forceps and ~2-3 mm of the apical end is placed in between the open jaws of the moveable clamp. This clamp is a spring-loaded alligator clamp whose metal jaws are coated with plastic to prevent direct contact between the metal surface and the buffer solution or the wall sample. In our experience metal ions can leach from the clamp and inhibit the wall's ability to extend, and so we keep the metal covered.</li>
<li>Holding the moveable clamp assembly in one hand, the basal end of the wall specimen is now maneuvered in between the two hinged pieces of the Plexiglas cuvette and the cuvette pieces are brought together and screwed tight, thereby locking the bottom end of the wall sample in the cuvette.</li>
<li>The moveable clamp assembly is now gently released, allowing the full force of the counterweights to be transferred to the wall specimen. We routinely use a total counterweight of 20 g for wall samples prepared from cucumber hypocotyls. Other wall materials or experiments might require different weights.</li>
<li>The cuvette is filled with buffer (200 uL) and the position of the cuvette moved up or down with an adjustment screw, so that the moveable clamp is brought to the lower end of the LVDT measuring range. Our LVDT is connected to a data acquisition unit of a microcomputer, and so we monitor LVDT position through the computer. We have eight LVDT assemblies connected in parallel with one computer, which allows us to run 8 wall samples simultaneously. The computer records the position of each of the LVDT assemblies once every 30 s.</li>
</ol>
Part 4: Measuring extension response to acid pH or expansin - Representative Results
<ol>
<li>[First Experiment] For measurement of acid-induced extension, we start with native wall samples (that is, not inactivated with heat) and neutral buffer is added to the cuvette. The wall samples extend for a few minutes, in response to the added tension, but the extension decays to a low rate after a few minutes. Our computer lets us monitor either the change in length of the sample (that is, the change in position of the moveable clamp, after the start of the experiment) or we can monitor the time derivative of position, in other words the rate of extension. The extension rate stabilizes to a low value with time.</li>
<li>After ~20 min, the neutral buffer is removed. We use a thin metal pipe, made from a large gauge hypodermic needle, connected to a vacuum pump to remove the buffer quickly, with minimal disturbance of the wall or the mechanical assembly. Acidic buffer is then added, sometimes with 1-2 quick exchanges to insure the complete exchange to acidic buffer. Then we sit back and watch the response of the wall. Typically we can detect the faster rate of extension in a few minutes. After 60 min we usually have enough information to assess the extension response, although in some cases the measurements may extend to longer periods.</li>
<li>[Second Experiment] For measurement of expansin-induced cell wall extension, we start with heat-inactivated wall samples and acidic buffer is added to the cuvette. As in the First Experiment, the rate of cell wall extension gradually stabilizes to a low value because of the lack of functional expansin.</li>
<li>After ~20 min, expansin protein is added to the cuvette by 'spiking' with the buffer in the cuvette with 10-20 uL of an expansin solution. The expansin rapidly penetrates the cell wall sample and within a few minutes we see that the extension rate has increased. This extension response can be followed for an hour or more.</li>
</ol>
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/1263/fig1.png" alt="" width="600" height="469" /> Figure 1: Outline of procedures for preparing cell walls to assess acid-induced or expansin-induced wall extension.

<ol>
	<li>Cosgrove, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+long-term+extension+of+isolated+cell+walls+from+growing+cucumber+hypocotyls.">Characterization of long-term extension of isolated cell walls from growing cucumber hypocotyls.</a> Planta. 177, 121-130 (1989).</li><li>Rayle, D. L., Cleland, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Acid+Growth+Theory+of+auxin-induced+cell+elongation+is+alive+and+well.">The Acid Growth Theory of auxin-induced cell elongation is alive and well.</a> Plant Physiol. 99, 1271-1274 (1992).</li><li>Cleland, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Auxin-induced+growth+of+Avena+coleoptiles+involves+two+mechanisms+with+different+pH+optima.">Auxin-induced growth of Avena coleoptiles involves two mechanisms with different pH optima.</a> Plant Physiol. 99, 1556-1561 (1992).</li><li>Cosgrove, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Loosening+of+plant+cell+walls+by+expansins.">Loosening of plant cell walls by expansins.</a> Nature. 407, 321-326 (2000).</li><li>McQueen-Mason, S., Durachko, D. M., Cosgrove, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+endogenous+proteins+that+induce+cell+wall+expansion+in+plants.">Two endogenous proteins that induce cell wall expansion in plants.</a> Plant Cell. 4, 1425-1433 (1992).</li></ol>

For this demonstration we used cell walls from cucumber hypocotyls because they have proved to be a reliable source of wall samples that are easy to handle and that respond with good sensitivity. We have also had good success with walls from other seedlings as well as some materials from the supermarket, such as young spinach leaves and celery stalks. Basically, young, soft, rapidly growing plant tissues are likely to be easily measured with this technique, but tough, old, oxidized or nongrowing plant tissues are unlike...

measuring plant cell wall extension (creep) induced by acidic ph and by alpha-expansin

Growing plant cell walls characteristically exhibit a property known as 'acid growth', by which we mean they are more extensible at low pH (&lt; 5) 1. The plant hormone auxin rapidly stimulates cell elongation in young stems and similar tissues at least in part by an acid-growth mechanism 2, 3. Auxin activates a H+ pump in the plasma membrane, causing acidification of the cell wall solution. Wall acidification activates expansins, which are endogenous cell wall-loosening proteins 4, causing the cell wall to yield to the wall tensions created by cell turgor pressure. As a result, the cell begins to enlarge rapidly. This 'acid growth' phenomenon is readily measured in isolated (nonliving) cell wall specimens. The ability of cell walls to undergo acid-induced extension is not simply the result of the structural arrangement of the cell wall polysaccharides (e.g. pectins), but depends on the activity of expansins 5. Expansins do not have any known enzymatic activity and the only way to assay for expansin activity is to measure their induction of cell wall extension. This video report details the sources and preparation techniques for obtaining suitable wall materials for expansin assays and goes on to show acid-induced extension and expansin-induced extension of wall samples prepared from growing cucumber hypocotyls.
 To obtain suitable cell wall samples, cucumber seedlings are grown in the dark, the hypocotyls are cut and frozen at -80 &deg;C. Frozen hypocotyls are abraded, flattened, and then clamped at constant tension in a special cuvette for extensometer measurements. To measure acid-induced extension, the walls are initially buffered at neutral pH, resulting in low activity of expansins that are components of the native cell walls. Upon buffer exchange to acidic pH, expansins are activated and the cell walls extend rapidly. We also demonstrate expansin activity in a reconstitution assay. For this part, we use a brief heat treatment to denature the native expansins in the cell wall samples. These inactivated cell walls do not extend even in acidic buffer, but addition of expansins to the cell walls rapidly restores their ability to extend.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measuring Plant Cell Wall Extension Creep Induced by Acidic pH and by Alpha-Expansin at JoVE.com

Measuring Plant Cell Wall Extension Creep Induced by Acidic pH and by Alpha-Expansin

We demonstrate the use of a constant-force extensometer to measure long-term extension (creep) of plant cell wall specimens induced by acidic buffers and expansin protein.

Measuring Plant Cell Wall Extension (Creep) Induced by Acidic pH and by Alpha-Expansin

Growing plant cell walls characteristically exhibit a property known as 'acid growth', by which we mean they are more extensible at low pH (&lt; 5) 1. The ...

measuring-plant-cell-wall-extension-creep-induced-acidic-ph-alpha

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13.9K Views.  Penn State University. We demonstrate the use of a constant-force extensometer to measure long-term extension (creep) of plant cell wall specimens induced by acidic buffers and expansin protein.

Video: Measuring Plant Cell Wall Extension Creep Induced by Acidic pH and by Alpha-Expansin

Title Cell Encapsulation by Droplets

Virus-induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) in Nicotiana benthamiana and Tomato

RNA interference (RNAi) is a highly specific gene-silencing phenomenon triggered by dsRNA1. This silencing mechanism uses two major classes of RNA regulators: microRNAs, which are produced from non-protein coding genes and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Plants use RNAi to control transposons and to exert tight control over developmental processes such as flower organ formation and leaf development2,3,4. Plants also use RNAi to defend themselves against infection by viruses. Consequently, many viruses have evolved suppressors of gene silencing to allow their successful colonization of their host5.
Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a method that takes advantage of the plant RNAi-mediated antiviral defense mechanism. In plants infected with unmodified viruses the mechanism is specifically targeted against the viral genome. However, with virus vectors carrying sequences derived from host genes, the process can be additionally targeted against the corresponding host mRNAs. VIGS has been adapted for high-throughput functional genomics in plants by using the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens to deliver, via its Ti plasmid, a recombinant virus carrying the entire or part of the gene sequence targeted for silencing. Systemic virus spread and the endogenous plant RNAi machinery take care of the rest. dsRNAs corresponding to the target gene are produced and then cleaved by the ribonuclease Dicer into siRNAs of 21 to 24 nucleotides in length. These siRNAs ultimately guide the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to degrade the target transcript2.
Different vectors have been employed in VIGS and one of the most frequently used is based on tobacco rattle virus (TRV). TRV is a bipartite virus and, as such, two different A. tumefaciens strains are used for VIGS. One carries pTRV1, which encodes the replication and movement viral functions while the other, pTRV2, harbors the coat protein and the sequence used for VIGS6,7. Inoculation of Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato seedlings with a mixture of both strains results in gene silencing. Silencing of the endogenous phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene, which causes photobleaching, is used as a control for VIGS efficiency. It should be noted, however, that silencing in tomato is usually less efficient than in N. benthamiana. RNA transcript abundance of the gene of interest should always be measured to ensure that the target gene has efficiently been down-regulated. Nevertheless, heterologous gene sequences from N. benthamiana can be used to silence their respective orthologs in tomato and vice versa8.

Virus-induced Gene Silencing VIGS in Nicotiana benthamiana and Tomato

Description of a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method for knock-down of gene expression in Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a highly specific gene-silencing phenomenon triggered by dsRNA1. This silencing mechanism uses two major classes of RNA ...

Identification of Growth Inhibition Phenotypes Induced by Expression of Bacterial Type III Effectors in Yeast

Many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria use a type III secretion system to translocate a suite of effector proteins into the cytosol of host cells. Within the cell, type III effectors subvert host cellular processes to suppress immune responses and promote pathogen growth. Numerous type III effectors of plant and animal bacterial pathogens have been identified to date, yet only a few of them are well characterized. Understanding the functions of these effectors has been undermined by a combination of functional redundancy in the effector repertoire of a given bacterial strain, the subtle effects that they may exert to increase virulence, roles that are possibly specific to certain infection stages, and difficulties in genetically manipulating certain pathogens. Expression of type III effectors in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae may allow circumventing these limitations and aid to the functional characterization of effector proteins. Because type III effectors often target cellular processes that are conserved between yeast and other eukaryotes, their expression in yeast may result in growth inhibition phenotypes that can be exploited to elucidate effector functions and targets. Additional advantages to using yeast for functional studies of bacterial effectors include their genetic tractability, information on predicted functions of the vast majority of their ORFs, and availability of numerous tools and resources for both genome-wide and small-scale experiments. Here we discuss critical factors for designing a yeast system for the expression of bacterial type III effector proteins. These include an appropriate promoter for driving expression of the effector gene(s) of interest, the copy number of the effector gene, the epitope tag used to verify protein expression, and the yeast strain. We present procedures to induce expression of effectors in yeast and to verify their expression by immunoblotting. In addition, we describe a spotting assay on agar plates for the identification of effector-induced growth inhibition phenotypes. The use of this protocol may be extended to the study of pathogenicity factors delivered into the host cell by any pathogen and translocation mechanism.

In this video, we describe a procedure for the expression of bacterial type III effectors in yeast and the identification of effector-induced growth inhibition phenotypes. Such phenotypes can be subsequently exploited to elucidate effector functions and targets.

Many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria use a type III secretion system to translocate a suite of effector proteins into the cytosol of host cells. Within ...

Agar-Block Microcosms for Controlled Plant Tissue Decomposition by Aerobic Fungi

The two principal methods for studying fungal biodegradation of lignocellulosic plant tissues were developed for wood preservative testing (soil-block; agar-block). It is well-accepted that soil-block microcosms yield higher decay rates, fewer moisture issues, lower variability among studies, and higher thresholds of preservative toxicity. Soil-block testing is thus the more utilized technique and has been standardized by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (method D 1413-07). The soil-block design has drawbacks, however, using locally-variable soil sources and in limiting the control of nutrients external (exogenous) to the decaying tissues. These drawbacks have emerged as a problem in applying this method to other, increasingly popular research aims. These modern aims include degrading lignocellulosics for bioenergy research, testing bioremediation of co-metabolized toxics, evaluating oxidative mechanisms, and tracking translocated elements along hyphal networks. Soil-blocks do not lend enough control in these applications. A refined agar-block approach is necessary.
Here, we use the brown rot wood-degrading fungus Serpula lacrymans to degrade wood in agar-block microcosms, using deep Petri dishes with low-calcium agar. We test the role of exogenous gypsum on decay in a time-series, to demonstrate the utility and expected variability. Blocks from a single board rip (longitudinal cut) are conditioned, weighed, autoclaved, and introduced aseptically atop plastic mesh. Fungal inoculations are at each block face, with exogenous gypsum added at interfaces. Harvests are aseptic until the final destructive harvest. These microcosms are designed to avoid block contact with agar or Petri dish walls. Condensation is minimized during plate pours and during incubation. Finally, inoculum/gypsum/wood spacing is minimized but without allowing contact. These less technical aspects of agar-block design are also the most common causes of failure and the key source of variability among studies. Video publication is therefore useful in this case, and we demonstrate low-variability, high-quality results.

This video demonstrates a controlled environment approach to study degradation of lignocellulosic plant tissues by aerobic fungi. The ability to control nutrient sources and moisture is a key advantage of agar-block microcosms, but the approach often yields mixed success. We address critical pitfalls to yield reproducible, low-variability results.

The two principal methods for studying fungal biodegradation of lignocellulosic plant tissues were developed for wood preservative testing (soil-block; ...

Pouring and Running a Protein Gel by reusing Commercial Cassettes

The evaluation of proteins using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis is a common technique used by biochemistry and molecular biology researchers1-4. For laboratories that perform daily analyses of proteins, the cost of commercially available polyacrylamide gels (&tilde;$10/gel) can be considerable over time. To mitigate this cost, some researchers prepare their own polyacrylamide gels. Traditional methods of pouring these gels typically utilize specialized equipment and glass gel plates that can be expensive and preclude pouring many gels and storing them for future use. Furthermore, handling of glass plates during cleaning or gel pouring can result in accidental breakage creating a safety hazard, which may preclude their use in undergraduate laboratory classes. Our protocol demonstrates how to pour multiple protein gels simultaneously by recycling Invitrogen Nupage Novex minigel cassettes, and inexpensive materials purchased at a home improvement store. This economical and streamlined method includes a way to store the gels at 4&deg;C for a few weeks. By re-using the plastic gel cassettes from commercially available gels, labs that run frequent protein gels can save significant costs and help the environment. In addition, plastic gel cassettes are extremely resistant to breakage, which makes them ideal for undergraduate laboratory classrooms.

Our protocol demonstrates how to pour multiple protein gels at a time by recycling Invitrogen Nupage Novex minigel cassettes, and inexpensive materials purchased at a home improvement store. This economical and streamlined method includes a way to store the gels at 4&deg;C for a few weeks. By re-using the plastic gel cassettes from commercially available gels, labs that run frequent protein gels can save significant costs and help the environment.

The evaluation of proteins using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis is a common technique used by biochemistry ...

Glycan Profiling of Plant Cell Wall Polymers using Microarrays

Plant cell walls are complex matrixes of heterogeneous glycans which play an important role in the physiology and development of plants and provide the raw materials for human societies (e.g. wood, paper, textile and biofuel industries)1,2. However, understanding the biosynthesis and function of these components remains challenging.
Cell wall glycans are chemically and conformationally diverse due to the complexity of their building blocks, the glycosyl residues. These form linkages at multiple positions and differ in ring structure, isomeric or anomeric configuration, and in addition, are substituted with an array of non-sugar residues. Glycan composition varies in different cell and/or tissue types or even sub-domains of a single cell wall3. Furthermore, their composition is also modified during development1, or in response to environmental cues4.
In excess of 2,000 genes have Plant cell walls are complex matrixes of heterogeneous glycans been predicted to be involved in cell wall glycan biosynthesis and modification in Arabidopsis5. However, relatively few of the biosynthetic genes have been functionally characterized 4,5. Reverse genetics approaches are difficult because the genes are often differentially expressed, often at low levels, between cell types6. Also, mutant studies are often hindered by gene redundancy or compensatory mechanisms to ensure appropriate cell wall function is maintained7. Thus novel approaches are needed to rapidly characterise the diverse range of glycan structures and to facilitate functional genomics approaches to understanding cell wall biosynthesis and modification.
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)8,9 have emerged as an important tool for determining glycan structure and distribution in plants. These recognise distinct epitopes present within major classes of plant cell wall glycans, including pectins, xyloglucans, xylans, mannans, glucans and arabinogalactans. Recently their use has been extended to large-scale screening experiments to determine the relative abundance of glycans in a broad range of plant and tissue types simultaneously9,10,11.
Here we present a microarray-based glycan screening method called Comprehensive Microarray Polymer Profiling (CoMPP) (Figures 1 &amp; 2)10,11 that enables multiple samples (100 sec) to be screened using a miniaturised microarray platform with reduced reagent and sample volumes. The spot signals on the microarray can be formally quantified to give semi-quantitative data about glycan epitope occurrence. This approach is well suited to tracking glycan changes in complex biological systems12 and providing a global overview of cell wall composition particularly when prior knowledge of this is unavailable.

A technique called Comprehensive Microarray Polymer Profiling (CoMPP) for the characterisation of plant cell wall glycans is described. This method combines the specificity of monoclonal antibodies directed to defined glycan-epitopes with a miniature microarray analytical platform allowing screening of glycan occurrence in a broad range of biological contexts.

Plant cell walls are complex matrixes of heterogeneous glycans which play an important role in the physiology and development of plants and provide the ...

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the turnover of all mature blood cell lineages. The coordination of the complex signals leading to specific HSC fates relies upon the interaction between HSCs and the intricate bone marrow microenvironment, which is still poorly understood[1-2].
We describe how by combining a newly developed specimen holder for stable animal positioning with multi-step confocal and two-photon in vivo imaging techniques, it is possible to obtain high-resolution 3D stacks containing HSPCs and their surrounding niches and to monitor them over time through multi-point time-lapse imaging. High definition imaging allows detecting ex vivo labeled hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) residing within the bone marrow. Moreover, multi-point time-lapse 3D imaging, obtained with faster acquisition settings, provides accurate information about HSPC movement and the reciprocal interactions between HSPCs and stroma cells.
Tracking of HSPCs in relation to GFP positive osteoblastic cells is shown as an exemplary application of this method. This technique can be utilized to track any appropriately labeled hematopoietic or stromal cell of interest within the mouse calvarium bone marrow space.

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

The nature of the interactions between hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and bone marrow niches is poorly understood. Custom hardware modifications and a multi-step acquisition protocol allow the use of two-photon and confocal microscopy to image ex vivo labeled HSPCs homed within bone marrow areas, tracking interactions and movement.

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ...

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. During a potentially aversive situation, corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) is released from the hypothalamus in the brain. This stimulates the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland, which in turn stimulates release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal gland. In horses the glucocorticoid corticosterone is responsible for several adaptations needed to support equine flight behaviour and subsequent removal from the aversive situation. Corticosterone metabolites can be detected in the feces of horses and assessment offers a non-invasive option to evaluate long term patterns of adrenal activity. Fecal assessment offers advantages over other techniques that monitor adrenal activity including blood plasma and saliva analysis. The non-invasive nature of the method avoids sampling stress which can confound results. It also allows the opportunity for repeated sampling over time and is ideal for studies in free ranging horses. This protocol describes the enzyme linked immunoassay (EIA) used to assess feces for corticosterone, in addition to the associated biochemical validation.

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. The method offers a non-invasive option to assess long term patterns in both domestic and free ranging horses. This protocol describes the enzyme linked immunoassay involved and the associated biochemical validation.

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. During a potentially aversive situation, ...

High Resolution Quantification of Crystalline Cellulose Accumulation in Arabidopsis Roots to Monitor Tissue-specific Cell Wall Modifications

Plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall, the composition of which determines their final size and shape. The cell wall is composed of a complex matrix containing polysaccharides that include cellulose microfibrils that form both crystalline structures and cellulose chains of amorphous organization. The orientation of the cellulose fibers and their concentrations dictate the mechanical properties of the cell. Several methods are used to determine the levels of crystalline cellulose, each bringing both advantages and limitations. Some can distinguish the proportion of crystalline regions within the total cellulose. However, they are limited to whole-organ analyses that are deficient in spatiotemporal information. Others relying on live imaging, are limited by the use of imprecise dyes. Here, we report a sensitive polarized light-based system for specific quantification of relative light retardance, representing crystalline cellulose accumulation in cross sections of Arabidopsis thaliana roots. In this method, the cellular resolution and anatomical data are maintained, enabling direct comparisons between the different tissues composing the growing root. This approach opens a new analytical dimension, shedding light on the link between cell wall composition, cellular behavior and whole-organ growth.

High Resolution Quantification of Crystalline Cellulose Accumulation in Arabidopsis Roots to Monitor Tissue-specific Cell Wall Modifications

Crystalline cellulose is an important constituent of the plant cell wall. However, its quantification at a cellular resolution is technically challenging. Here, we report the use of polarized light technology and root cross sections to obtain information of cell wall composition at a spatiotemporal resolution.

Plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall, the composition of which determines their final size and shape. The cell wall is composed of a complex matrix ...

High-throughput CRISPR Vector Construction and Characterization of DNA Modifications by Generation of Tomato Hairy Roots

Targeted DNA mutations generated by vectors with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology have proven useful for functional genomics studies. While most cloning strategies are simple to perform, they generally use multiple steps and can require several days to generate the ultimate constructs. The method presented here is based on DNA assembly and can produce fully functional CRISPR vectors in a single cloning reaction. Vector construction can also be pooled, further increasing the efficiency and utility of the process. A modification of the method is used to create CRISPR vectors with multiple gene targets. CRISPR vectors are then transformed into tomato hairy roots to generate transgenic materials with targeted DNA modifications. Hairy roots are a useful system for testing vector functionality as they are technically simple to generate and amenable to large-scale production. The methods presented here will have wide application as they can be used to generate a variety of CRISPR vectors and be used in a wide range of plant species.

Using DNA assembly, multiple CRISPR vectors can be constructed in parallel in a single cloning reaction, making the construction of large numbers of CRISPR vectors a simple task. Tomato hairy roots are an excellent model system to validate CRISPR vectors and generate mutant materials.

Targeted DNA mutations generated by vectors with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology have proven useful for ...