To help our customers obtain unique information related to plant photosynthetic activity, CD BioSciences is committed to extending the applicability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements used in human diagnostics to plant science. We apply nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI techniques to intact plants to study water balance and water transport in relation to photosynthetic activity. We look forward to serving you and being your reliable scientific assistant.

Introduction

Studying the integration and coordination of processes at the organ and whole plant level is a difficult and challenging task in plant physiology. The development of techniques that make it possible to accurately measure whole-plant performance takes into account a variety of factors, including the interactions between leaf water content, water evaporation, xylem water transport, CO₂ fixation, photosynthetic activity, chloroplast volume regulation, and bast loading and transport. All these factors are directly or indirectly related to photosynthesis, and by measuring these fluxes related to plant (cell) water balance and photosynthetic activity, it is possible to gain new insights into plant function and plant performance.

1H NMR has long been used to measure molecular displacement and to characterize the physical state of water in biological systems. MRI, a new high-tech imaging method in recent years, has also proven its applicability in the measurement of plant physiological processes. Both techniques are now widely used to study plant anatomy, histochemistry, plant development, and changes in water content and transport in transpiring plant stems and root systems. At CD BioSciences, researchers have focused on using these two techniques to help clients study plant performance related to their photosynthetic activity.

Fig.1 MRI pictures of cucumber A) and false olive B), in which the upper panel represents the T₁ and lower the T₂ measurement. (Jakusch, 2018)

Our Biophysical Analysis Services

• We use non-spatially resolved portable NMR to help clients study leaf water content and water distribution in different (subcellular) compartments, These parameters are directly related to stomatal hydraulic conductivity, CO₂ absorption and photosynthesis.
• We use MIR, a non-destructive and non-invasive technique to help clients obtain 2D and even 3D images of intact plants. The information in the images can be manipulated and used to research the dynamics of plant water relations and water transport in the stem.
• We combine these NMR and MRI methods with measurements of photosynthetic activity, such as monitoring by pulse amplitude modulation chlorophyll fluorometer (PAM) techniques, to provide new insights into photosynthesis research.

Advantages of Our Services

• Industry-leading scientific experts
• Rigorous quality control protocols
• Start-to-finish scientific assistance

CD BioSciences has an advanced biophysical analysis platform to provide you with MRI services for plants. Our full range of services includes the initial consultation to the submission of the final test report, giving you the most professional one-stop service. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more information.

Reference

1. Jakusch, P.; et al. The application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to the examination of plant tissues and water barriers. Acta Biologica Hungarica. 2018, 69(4): 423-436.

• Photosynthesis-related Measurements Services
• Leaf 3D Imaging Services
• Structural Analysis of Photosynthetic Protein Complex
• Structural Characterization of Amorphous Photosynthetic Complexes
• Kinetic Analysis of Pigment-Protein Complex
• Distance Measurements in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers
• Kinetic Analysis of Lipids in Photosynthetic Thylakoid Membranes
• Molecular Dynamics Simulations in Photosynthesis