plants Protocols

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant Proteins, Peptides and Antigens

The pH is an important parameter controlling many metabolic and signalling pathways in living cells. Recombinant fluorescent pH indicators (pHluorins) have come into vogue for monitoring cellular pH. They are derived from the most popular Aequorea victoria GFP (Av-GFP). Here, we present a novel fluorescent pH reporter protein from the orange seapen Ptilosarcus gurneyi (Pt-GFP) and compare its properties with pHluorins for expression and use in plants. - [Read A Novel Fluorescent pH Probe for Expression in Plants]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant Genetics Protocols

AFLP was designed as a highly sensitive method for DNA fingerprinting to be used in a variety of fields. We are using this technology to generate DNA based markers for cloning genes involved in phototropic responses in higher plants that have only been identified genetically by mutant phenotype. Protocol includes: Generate polymorphic recombinant F2 (or F3) population; Isolate genomic DNA; Restriction of DNA; Ligation of adapters; Pre-amplification of template DNA; AFLP-PCR; etc. - [Read AFLP For Positional Cloning]

Category: PCR Protocols: AFLP PCR

Mannie Liscum and Paul Oeller. Department of Plant Biology. Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford. AFLP technology is used here to generate DNA based markers for cloning genes involved in phototropic responses in higher plants that have only been i - [Read AFLP: not only for fingerprinting, but for positional cloning]

Category: Cytogenetics Protocols

Protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in rice. Agrobacterium-mediated rice transformation method that is applicable to easily cultured varieties in addition to elite japonica varieties that are more difficult to culture. Using this method, transgenic rice plants can be obtained in about 2–3 months with a transformation frequency of 30–50%, both in easily cultured varieties and recalcitrant elite japonica rice. - [Read Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation in Rice Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Transformation Protocols

Arabidopsis transformation and selection on kanamycin agar, Preparation of plants for transformation, Agrobacterium, Dipping, Post-dip care, Agar plates, Tips. Adaptation of the short protocol described bySteve Clough and Andrew Bent, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. - [Read Arabidopsis transformation with pictures]

Category: Cell Organelle Protocols: Subcellular Fractionation Protocols: Peroxisome Isolation Protocols

Peroxisomes of higher eukaryotes, glycosomes of kinetoplastids, & glyoxysomes of plants are related microbody organelles that perform differing metabolic functions tailored to their cellular environments. The close evolutionary relationship of these organelles is most clearly evidenced by the conservation of proteins involved in matrix protein import and biogenesis. glycosome can be viewed as an offshoot of the peroxisomal lineage with additional metabolic functions, specifically glycolysi - [Read Biogenesis and Function of Peroxisomes and Glycosomes]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant Proteins, Peptides and Antigens

BN-PAGE has become the method of choice for the investigation of the respiratory protein complexes of the electron transfer chains of a range of organisms. It allows the separation in two dimensions of extremely hydrophobic protein sets for analysis and also provides information on their native interactions. In this review we discuss the capabilities of BN-PAGE in proteomics and the wider investigation of protein:protein interactions with a focus on its use and potential in plant science. - [Read Blue-Native PAGE in Plants: A Tool in Analysis of Protein-Protein Interactions]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Genetics Protocols

Method is for preparing chromosomes from single flower buds of A. thaliana. It does not kill the plants allowing the determination of their chromosome number throughout development. Includes: Preparations of Arabidopsis; Preparation of Chromosome; Staining Chromosomes. - [Read Chromosome Spreads from Flower Buds of Arabidopsis thaliana Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols

In most natural habitats, Arabidopsis is a winter annual: Its seeds germinate in the fall, the young plants survive the winter, floral meristems emerge in the spring, and only the seeds survive the summer months. Most common laboratory varieties of Arabidopsis flower within 4 weeks of germination, and seeds can be collected after an additional 4-6 weeks. - [Read Cultivation of Arabidopsis Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant Genetics Protocols

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) uses a virus to deliver a sequence from a gene of interest into a host plant. The virus carrying the fragment of the gene of interest must be capable of replication if dsRNA is to be produced. One or two leaves are inoculated with Agrobacterium strains carrying the VIGS vector possessing the gene fragment. The virus then replicates and spreads throughout the plant, mediating silencing. - [Read Delivery of dsRNA into Plants by VIGS Methodology]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant DNA RNA Isolation Protocols

The original maize DNA miniprep protocol is used extensively for many plant species and different tissues. This slightly modified version is acceptable for most DNA extractions. The procedure has the advantage of isolating DNA from plant material very rapidly. The procedure requires a table-top drill-press (mechanized homogenizer). - [Read DNA Microprep Isolation from Plants Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant DNA RNA Isolation Protocols

The original maize DNA miniprep protocol is used extensively for many plant species and different tissues. This slightly modified version is acceptable for most DNA extractions. The procedure has the advantage of speed and its use of inexpensive reagents. - [Read DNA Miniprep Isolation from Plants Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Genetics Protocols

EMS is used at concentrations that induce multiple point mutations in each plant, such that mutant alleles of a specific locus are found at a rate of ~1 in 2000-5000 M2 plants. This high rate of mutagenesis makes possible the screening of relatively few plants to find those with the phenotype of interest, a particular advantage if the screen is laborious or if only a small number of genes mutate to the required phenotype. - [Read EMS Mutagenesis of Arabidopsis Seed Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Genetics Protocols

Protocol describes the use of glufosinate ammonium to select transformed Arabidopsis plants. The major advantage of glufosinate ammonium selection is that it can be performed on plants growing in soil and does not require the use of sterile techniques. - [Read Glufosinate Ammonium Selection of Transformed Arabidopsis Protocol]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Live-Cell Imaging Protocols

GFP serves as a molecular marker that can be imaged dynamically in living cells, both in its native form & as a fusion to other proteins. For GFP imaging, plants present the challenge of autofluorescence from chlorophyll, lignified cell walls, vacuolar contents, and other cell materials, all of which can obscure the GFP signal. Maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio is a major concern, and careful consideration should be given to the choice of tissue imaged, GFP expression level, etc. - [Read Live-Cell Imaging of GFP in Plants]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols

The standard protocol for in situ hybridizations in plants still involves fixing fresh tissue, embedding the tissue in wax, sectioning with a microtome and detection of the transcripts of interest using labeled RNA-probes. This protocol concentrates only on nonradioactive methods, as they are easy to perform, very sensitive and even faster than techniques involving radioisotope labels. - [Read Molecular and Biochemical Analysis of Arabidopsis Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant Genetics Protocols

Protocol describing on how to perform crosses in plants. - [Read Plant Crosses Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant DNA RNA Isolation Protocols

A. thaliana has a very small haploid genome and this makes obtaining DNA somewhat difficult. The most notable problem is that DNA is usually contaminated with polysaccharide which inhibit restriction enzymes as well as other DNA modifying enzymes. This problem is most easily solved by using young plants which have not accumulated as much polysaccharide as older plants. The best results are obtained with plants that are two to three weeks post germinated. - [Read Plant DNA Extraction Protocol]

Category: Protein Protocols: Protein Extraction From Tissue

Protein Isolation and Analysis From Plants. T. Rife. Department of Biology, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, VA - [Read Protein Isolation and Analysis From Plants]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Confocal Microscopy Protocols

Protocol describes a useful way to observe the development of embryos, as well as meristems & young primordia developing at the shoot apex by confocal microscopy after staining the nuclei with propidium iodide. The number of cells can be exactly quantified in a meristem or in young primordia. Because embryonic & meristematic cells are largely filled out by their nuclei, it is easier to image only the nuclei. This method allows analysis of whole-mount material, which is more easily reconstructed. - [Read Protocol for Nuclear Staining of Plants for Confocal Microscopy]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Transformation Protocols

Arabidopsis can be stably transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transfer of T-DNA. We describe the generation of transgenic plants via root transformation in tissue culture, which can be useful for transforming sterile mutants. - [Read Root Transformation of Arabidopsis Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Genetics Protocols

A powerful way to identify a mutation in the gene of interest and to test mutant plants for phenotypes that are predicted to result from loss of function of that gene is by PCR screening. Pools of insertion lines are screened using one primer corresponding to the gene of interest and one primer corresponding to the end of the insertion element. The synthesis of a product indicates the presence of an insertion in the gene of interest. - [Read Screening DNA Pools for T-DNA Insertions in Arabidopsis Genes Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Genetics Protocols

Arabidopsis naturally self-pollinates, the generation of cross-progeny requires some intervention by the investigator. This protocol describes the generation and collection of seeds by crossing suitable Arabidopsis parent plants. - [Read Setting Up Arabidopsis Crosses Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Transformation Protocols

Protocol for a simplified Arabidopsis transformation. Found that the MS salts, hormone, etc. make no difference, that OD of bacteria doesn't make much of a difference, that vacuum doesn't even make much of a difference as long as you have a decent amount of surfactant present. Plant health is still a major factor - healthy fecund plants make a big difference! With this method you should be able to achieve transformation rates above 1%. - [Read Simple Arabidopsis Transformation Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant Genetics Protocols

This procedure, which uses a root transformation protocol, provides a rapid method for assessing gene expression in Arabidopsis roots. It is useful for testing promoter:reporter gene constructs, for expressing genes, the overexpression of which is lethal in whole plants, and for transforming the roots of plants that are recalcitrant to conventional transformation techniques. The protocol has been used successfully with Ws, No-0, and RLD ecotypes. - [Read Transgene Expression in Regenerated Roots]