Journal of Glycomics & Lipidomics
Open Access
ISSN: 2153-0637
ISSN: 2153-0637
Ljudmilla Borisjuk
Leibnitz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Glycomics Lipidomics
Humans experience and visually explore their environment in three dimensions (3-D). New technological developments in field of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have allowed this natural 3-D approach to be implemented in lipid research. The success of MRI relies on its unique capability to capture chemical, structural or dynamic parameters while being a non-invasive technology. This gives MRI the potential to monitor physiological processes occurring in living organisms. We explain how MRI-tools can be applied for visualization of lipid distribution in living plant/seed and describe the associated advantages and challenges of various analytical modes. Various lipid maps and 3-D models of seeds and fruits are included (animated images) to exemplify recent cutting-edge advances in the field. The importance and prospects of the imaging of lipids in living plants, as well as the integration of lipid imaging with other emerging techniques, are outlined to provide an impetus for future research in the area. Unfortunately NMR/MRI use in daily practice is, in contrast to those in the medical field, still limited. Understanding the problems and solving some of the issues will enable MRI to become a tool in plant science that is as effective and popular as desired. A road map is provided for what should ideally be done next and which problems should be solved. We believe that MRI developments in different fields of plant science will drive the emergence of new applications in lipid research that are still somewhat unpredictable.
Email: borisjuk@ipk-gatersleben.de