Method and apparatus to image biological interactions in plants
Inventors
Weisenberger, Andrew • Bonito, Gregory M. • Reid, Chantal D. • Smith, Mark Frederick
Assignees
Jefferson Science Associates LLC
Publication Number
US-9217744-B1
Publication Date
2015-12-22
Expiration Date
2033-08-19
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Abstract
A method to dynamically image the actual translocation of molecular compounds of interest in a plant root, root system, and rhizosphere without disturbing the root or the soil. The technique makes use of radioactive isotopes as tracers to label molecules of interest and to image their distribution in the plant and/or soil. The method allows for the study and imaging of various biological and biochemical interactions in the rhizosphere of a plant, including, but not limited to, mycorrhizal associations in such regions.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method to dynamically image the actual translocation of molecular compounds of interest in a plant root, root system, and rhizosphere without disturbing the root or the soil. This technique uses radioactive isotopes as tracers to label molecules of interest and image their distribution in the plant and/or soil. It enables the study and imaging of various biological and biochemical interactions in the rhizosphere, including mycorrhizal associations.
The problem addressed by the invention arises from the inherent destructiveness or impracticality of existing methods to study biological interactions in the rhizosphere under natural field conditions. Most current approaches require removal of the root system from soil and are difficult to apply to ecosystems with many plants, preventing repeated longitudinal studies on the same plant and soil microbe system without disturbance.
This invention solves the problem by providing a non-destructive imaging method, using radioisotope-labeled compounds and radioisotope imaging detectors, to quantify and image plant-fungal interactions, such as mycorrhizal associations, in situ. The method allows longitudinal studies without disturbing roots or soil and does not require direct visual access to the roots, enabling imaging in natural or controlled environments such as soil or hydroponic systems.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains three independent claims that present inventive features related to imaging methods for plant root systems and rhizosphere involving radioisotope labeling and detection.
Imaging molecular translocation in plant roots and rhizosphere
A method involving providing a plant root system; selecting a compound or molecule that binds a target; labeling it with a radioisotope; tagging the target with the labeled compound; removing excess labeled compound; providing a radioisotope imaging detector and algorithms; and imaging emissions from the labeled compound within the root system.
Imaging activity in rhizosphere with containerized system and reconstruction
A method comprising placing a plant root system in a container with soil or hydroponic solution allowing imaging device placement around perimeter; selecting a radioactive tracer emitting high energy photons that pass through soil and container; applying the tracer to tag microbial or root molecules; introducing the tagged molecule to the soil or solution; imaging the tracer with a radioisotope detector; and reconstructing images using computer algorithms to determine distribution of the labeled molecule.
Imaging mycorrhizal association in plant root and rhizosphere
A method including providing a plant root system; identifying a compound binding a fungal target; labeling the compound with a radioisotope to form a tracer complex; binding the tracer complex to the fungal target; removing excess tracer complex; providing a radioisotope imaging detector and algorithms; and imaging emissions from the tracer complex within the root system.
These inventive features collectively describe a suite of related methods for non-destructively imaging molecular interactions, particularly those involving fungi like mycorrhizal associations, in plant roots and surrounding soil using radioisotope-labeled molecules and advanced imaging detectors with computational reconstruction. The claims emphasize the methodological steps for tagging, washing, detecting, and imaging in situ.
Stated Advantages
Allows dynamic imaging of molecular translocation in plant roots and rhizosphere without disturbing roots or soil.
Enables repeated longitudinal studies on the same plant and soil/microbe system under natural conditions.
Achieves high spatial resolution imaging even through soil or container materials using suitable radioactive tracers and detectors.
Offers quantitative assessment of biochemical interactions such as mycorrhizal associations.
Does not require direct visual observation or physical root system removal, unlike traditional methods.
Documented Applications
Imaging biological and biochemical interactions in the rhizosphere of a plant, including mycorrhizal associations.
Visualization of microbial/root interactions, particularly tracking fungal components such as chitin in fungal cell walls.
Studying plant physiological responses and nutrient uptake mechanisms, including monitoring nutrient transport like nitrogen and phosphorus.
Application in hydroponic systems to trace uptake and transport of tagged organic molecules such as glucose or amino acids.
Combining with other imaging modalities like X-ray CT or MRI to determine physical root location together with biochemical imaging.
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