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Plasmodesmata pp 67–84Cite as

Use and Limitations of Fluorochromes for Plasmodesmal Research

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Abstract

Fluorochromes have been essential tools to our exploration of cell-to-cell communication in plants. They have provided us with a measure of cell coupling during development and differentiation, of the gating of plasmodesmata during changes in cell physiology, and of virus and macromolecule movement from cell to cell. Fluorochromes have demonstrated the dynamism within the intricate substructure that we see in EM images of plasmodesmata, and have forever dispelled the idea that plasmodesmata are slowly changing, passive channels restricted by a rigid plant cell wall. Techniques for the use of fluorochromes will be discussed. Like any measurement technique, the use of fluorochromes will only give valid results if care is taken to avoid errors. Some of the potential sources of error will be discussed, together with measures to avoid them.

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  1. Department of Crop Sciences, University of Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia

    P. B. Goodwin & L. C. Cantril

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  1. P. B. Goodwin
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  1. Institut für Allgemeine Botanik und Pflanzenphysiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Senckenbergstr. 17, D-35390, Giessen, Germany

    A. J. E. van Bel  & Wilhelmus J. P. Van Kesteren  & 

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Goodwin, P.B., Cantril, L.C. (1999). Use and Limitations of Fluorochromes for Plasmodesmal Research. In: van Bel, A.J.E., Van Kesteren, W.J.P. (eds) Plasmodesmata. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60035-7_5

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