Laser-Scanning Mikroskop mit konfokaler Optik

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We study the regulatory mechanisms underlying plant stem cell homeostasis at the shoot apical meristem. Since the stem cell population itself as well as the cells providing the organizational cues for meristem integrity undergo permanent turnover, we need to expand our studies from the static 2D level afforded by histological sections to the dynamic 4D level achieved by time lapse confocal microscopy. We have developed plant lines carrying multi-color fluorescent reporters, which will enable us to visualize all major domains within the shoot apical meristem simultaneously. Since the reporters are targeted to the nucleus, it will be possible to quantify the cell number within a given domain. In addition we are developing powerful markers to assess cell division activity and together with cell identity markers, these tools will give us unprecedented insight into cell behavior in the apical stem cell niche of Arabidopsis. For these experiments we need access to a versatile upright confocal microscope able to resolve spectral information due to the multitude of simultaneously detected markers for many hours for each experiment. Furthermore, to acquire quantitative information, we will need a substantial level of automation for imaging. So far, an instrument that meets these requirements does not exist at our institution and the available instruments are highly used precluding these types of analysis.