Home › Microscopy & Imaging › Using Flatbed Scanners to Collect High-resolution Time-lapsed Images of the Arabidopsis Root Gravitropic Response
Microscopy & Imaging JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Using Flatbed Scanners to Collect High-resolution Time-lapsed Images of the Arabidopsis Root Gravitropic Response

DOI: 10.3791/50878-v
What you'll learn
  • ✓ Set up Arabidopsis seedling plates for high-resolution flatbed scanner imaging
  • ✓ Configure scanner settings and organize file management for time-lapse collection
  • ✓ Capture sequential gravitropic response images suitable for quantitative analysis
Protocol

This protocol describes a process for rapid collection of images of Arabidopsis seedlings responding to a gravity stimulus using commercially-available flatbed scanners. The method allows for inexpensive, high-volume capture of high-resolution images amenable for downstream analysis algorithms.

Difficulty
beginner
Total time
~24-48 hours per experimental run (including seedling growth and scanning period)
Model organism
Arabidopsis thaliana

Steps

1
Prepare seedling plates for scanning

Arrange Arabidopsis seedlings on agar plates and position them in appropriate orientation for gravity stimulus application. Ensure plates are ready for imaging without contamination or drying.

▶ 00:52
2
Establish folder structure and timing protocols

Create organized directories for image output and set timers to coordinate scanning intervals across multiple scanners. Plan the time-lapse schedule based on expected gravitropic response kinetics.

▶ 01:50
3
Configure scanner hardware and software settings

Power on flatbed scanners and establish imaging parameters including resolution, color depth, and scan area to optimize image quality for downstream analysis.

▶ 03:10
4
Position plates in scanners for time-lapse imaging

Place prepared Arabidopsis plates in scanner beds, ensuring consistent positioning and focus. Initiate automated time-lapse acquisition following scanner protocol.

▶ 05:36
5
Evaluate representative results and image quality

Review sample output images from the scanning run to confirm high resolution capture, proper focus, and suitability for gravitropic response quantification.

▶ 07:12
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