A new preparation method to study fresh plant structures with X-ray computed tomography.
Since the development of X-ray computed tomography as a medical diagnostic tool, it was adapted and extended for many scientific applications, including plant structure research. As for many biological studies, sample preparation is of major importance to obtain good-quality images. Therefore, we present a new preparation method for fresh material which includes critical point drying and heavy metal staining. This technique enhances the contrast of fresh tissues, prevents artefacts such as tissue compression, and requires no embedding.
Leroux
O
O
Research Group Pteridology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Leroux
F
F
Bellefroid
E
E
Claeys
M
M
Couvreur
M
M
Borgonie
G
G
Van Hoorebeke
L
L
Masschaele
B
B
Viane
R
R
D003890:Desiccation; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed