Poster: Emerging technologies
Abs #
917: Computer-Assisted Morphometric Analysis of Arabidopsis Development
We continue to develop a computer-aided morphometric tool that automatically measures small changes in Arabidopsis seedling form with minute resolution. It is based upon the acquisition and analysis of high-resolution infrared CCD images, providing a non-invasive means for determining the kinetics of developmental processes (Curr Opin Plant Biol 4: 436-440). Earlier and current versions of this tool are used to gauge the roles of various developmental photoreceptors and downstream signaling elements in light-controlled hypocotyl growth (PNAS 96: 14142-14146; Plant J 26: 471-478; Plant J 28: 333-340; Plant Physiol 126: 1291-1298). However, for previous versions of this tool, other light-induced changes, such as apical hook opening, restricted automated growth analysis to the first 2h following the onset of actinic illumination. New advances presented here now enable fully-automated determinations of seedling length through time, regardless of other developmental changes. Seedling images are now processed and analyzed through a multistep computer algorithm that identifies and measures seedling hypocotyl midline length followed by determination of instantaneous growth rate. We will detail the function of this computer-assisted analysis, as well as present data demonstrating the accuracy of the results. Flexibility is incorporated into the framework of this algorithm to permit morphometric analysis of other important seedling features that change during development. These include, but are not limited to root elongation and development, apical hook opening, phototropic curvature, and cotyledon expansion. We will also address our plans to make this tool available to the scientific community interested in gene function as it pertains to plant development.
