title: Pollen structure visualization using high-resolution laboratory-based hard X-ray tomography.
abstract: A laboratory-based X-ray microscope is used to investigate the 3D structure of unstained whole pollen grains. For the first time, high-resolution laboratory-based hard X-ray microscopy is applied to study pollen grains. Based on the efficient acquisition of statistically relevant information-rich images using Zernike phase contrast, both surface- and internal structures of pine pollen - including exine, intine and cellular structures - are clearly visualized. The specific volumes of these structures are calculated from the tomographic data. The systematic three-dimensional study of pollen grains provides morphological and structural information about taxonomic characters that are essential in palynology. Such studies have a direct impact on disciplines such as forestry, agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding and biodiversity.
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme, Maria-Reiche-Straße 2, 01109, Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: Qiong.Li@tu-dresden.de.
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme, Maria-Reiche-Straße 2, 01109, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gluch
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme, Maria-Reiche-Straße 2, 01109, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme, Maria-Reiche-Straße 2, 01109, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neinhuis
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme, Maria-Reiche-Straße 2, 01109, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Ehrenfried
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zschech
mesh_terms: D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D028223:Pinus; D011058:Pollen / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Noninvasive imaging; Pollen grain; Three dimensional visualization; Zernike phase contrast