microscopy-technology
Microscopy technology encompasses a range of imaging techniques—from light and confocal microscopy to electron and super-resolution methods—that allow scientists to visualize biological structures at cellular and subcellular scales. In plant science, these tools are essential for examining cell wall architecture, plastid development, root tip dynamics, and the intricate interactions between plants and pathogens. Advances in live-cell imaging and correlative microscopy have made it possible to observe plant processes in real time, transforming our understanding of growth, signaling, and stress responses.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-05-01
A plant cell biologist at The Chinese University of Hong Kong reflects on 25 years of research into how plant cells manage internal compartments—especially vacuoles—and how those compartments communicate, form, and recycle material. The work uses cutting-edge microscopy to reveal nanoscale structures inside living plant cells.
Over 25 years, the lab trained 40 PhD students, 18 MPhil students, and 34 postdoctoral researchers, building significant institutional capacity in plant cell biology.
The research group established advanced electron microscopy and live-cell imaging shared platforms since 2015, enabling nanometer-resolution views of plant membrane structures.
Whole-cell electron tomography and Cryo-ET/FIB technologies were applied to reveal near-native 3D structures of transport vesicles, extracellular vesicles, and vacuoles in plants.