流式细胞术在高等植物研究中的应用

流式细胞术(FCM)是根据所测定的各种细胞性质的不同组合,从细胞群体中把某个亚群分选出来,并对它的功能和形态学进行研究或进一步培养分析。流式细胞术具有快速、灵敏和同时进行多参数检测等优点,对其基本原理和在高等植物中的应用进行了介绍。     

Flow cytometric applications in cytopathology

Flow cytometric (FCM) methodology represents a powerful analytical tool for screening and detecting abnormal and malignant cells, for subclassifying malignancies beyond conventional morphologic type and grade and for transcending light microscopic features by providing more biologically meaningful information. This paper reviews the historical background leading to the development of the FCM methodology and instrumentation that is presently being used for cytopathologic (and histopathologic) diagnosis, tumor subclassification and identification of aggressive cancers. Emphasis is placed on human carcinomas, with reference to hematologic malignancies when appropriate. Examples of FCM DNA content and cytokinetic techniques are described for the various cytologic sampling methods. The advantages, limitations and future prospects for the application of flow cytometric techniques in cytopathology are discussed.     

In vivo flow cytometry: a horizon of opportunities

Flow cytometry (FCM) has been a fundamental tool of biological discovery for many years. Invasive extraction of cells from a living organism, however, may lead to changes in cell properties and prevents studying cells in their native environment. These problems can be overcome by use of in vivo FCM, which provides detection and imaging of circulating normal and abnormal cells directly in blood or lymph flow. The goal of this review is to provide a brief history, features, and challenges of this new generation of FCM methods and instruments. Spectrum of possibilities of in vivo FCM in biological science (e.g., cell metabolism, immune function, or apoptosis) and medical fields (e.g., cancer, infection, and cardiovascular disorder) including integrated photoacoustic-photothermal theranostics of circulating abnormal cells are discussed with focus on recent advances of this new platform.     

Data standards for flow cytometry

Flow cytometry (FCM) is an analytical tool widely used for cancer and HIV/AIDS research, and treatment, stem cell manipulation and detecting microorganisms in environmental samples. Current data standards do not capture the full scope of FCM experiments and there is a demand for software tools that can assist in the exploration and analysis of large FCM datasets. We are implementing a standardized approach to capturing, analyzing, and disseminating FCM data that will facilitate both more complex analyses and analysis of datasets that could not previously be efficiently studied. Initial work has focused on developing a community-based guideline for recording and reporting the details of FCM experiments. Open source software tools that implement this standard are being created, with an emphasis on facilitating reproducible and extensible data analyses. As well, tools for electronic collaboration will assist the integrated access and comprehension of experiments to empower users to collaborate on FCM analyses. This coordinated, joint development of bioinformatics standards and software tools for FCM data analysis has the potential to greatly facilitate both basic and clinical research--impacting a notably diverse range of medical and environmental research areas.     

流式细胞术在细菌快速检测中的应用

流式细胞仪(Flow cytometer)是集应用流体学、光学、电子学、生物学、免疫学等多门学科和技术于一体的新型高科技仪器。它的核心技术是流式细胞术(Flow cytometry,FCM),该技术是利用流式细胞仪,使单个细胞或其他微小生物粒子处于快速直线流动状态,且逐个通过光束,从而对单个细胞或微粒进行多参数(数量、大小、核酸含量、细胞活性、特定菌群或物种等)定量分析和分选的检测技术,具有快速、灵敏、精确以及便于操作等突出优点。本文简要介绍流式细胞仪的原理,并论述流式细胞技术在实验室研究、工业生产、临床诊断、环境评估等领域的细菌快速检测应用。     

Reliable DNA ploidy determination in dehydrated tissues of vascular plants by DAPI flow cytometry--new prospects for plant research.

BACKGROUND: Only fresh plant material is generally used for rapid DNA ploidy estimation by flow cytometry (FCM). This requirement, however, substantially limits convenient FCM application in plant biosystematics, population biology, and ecology. As desiccation is a routine way for sample preservation in field botany, potential utilization of dehydrated tissues of vascular plants in FCM research was examined. METHODS: Standard DAPI protocol was employed to evaluate the performance of 60 air-dried species, spanning more than 100-fold range of nuclear DNA amounts. Multiploid Vaccinium subg. Oxycoccus was selected as model taxon for detailed investigation and cytotype comparison. RESULTS: A majority of analyzed plants yielded distinct peaks with reasonable coefficients of variation after several months of storage at room temperature. Fluorescence intensity of nuclei isolated from desiccated tissues was highly comparable with that for fresh material, allowing reliable DNA ploidy estimation. Deep-freezer preservation substantially extended Vaccinium samples lifetime (at least to 3 years) and maintained high histogram resolution. CONCLUSIONS: The introduced approach eliminates the need for fresh material in many vascular plants and thus opens new prospects for plant FCM. Convenient cytotype investigation in field research and retrospective ploidy determination in already herbarized samples are among the principal advantages.     

Cytochemistry and C-values: the less-well-known world of nuclear DNA amounts

BACKGROUND: In the plant sciences there are two widely applied technologies for measuring nuclear DNA content: Feulgen absorbance cytophotometry and flow cytometry (FCM). While FCM is, with good reasons, increasingly popular among plant scientists, absorbance-cytophotometric techniques lose ground. This results in a narrowing of the methodological repertoire, which is neither desirable nor beneficial. Both approaches have their advantages, but static cytophotometry seems to pose more instrumental difficulties and material-based problems than FCM, so that Feulgen-based data in the literature are often less reliable than one would expect. SCOPE: The purpose of this article is to present a selective overview of the field of nuclear DNA content measurement, and C-values in particular, with a focus on the technical difficulties imposed by the characteristics of the biological material and with some comments on the photometrical aspects of the work. For over 20 years it has been known that plant polyphenols cause problems in Feulgen DNA cytophotometry, since they act as major staining inhibitors leading to unreliable results. However, little information is available about the chemical classes of plant metabolites capable of DNA staining interference and the mechanisms of their inhibition. Plant slimes are another source of concern. CONCLUSIONS: In FCM research to uncover the effects of secondary metabolites on measurement results has begun only recently. In particular, the analysis of intraspecific genome size variation demands a stringent methodology which accounts for inhibitors. FCM tests for inhibitory effects of endogenous metabolites should become obligatory. The use of dry seeds for harvesting embryo and endosperm nuclei for FCM and Feulgen densitometry may often provide a means of circumventing staining inhibitors. The importance of internal standardization is highlighted. Our goal is a better understanding of phytochemical/cytochemical interactions in plant DNA photometry for the benefit of an ever-growing list of plant genome sizes.     

The relevance of flow cytometry for biochemical analysis

Flow cytometry (FCM) allows the simultaneous measurement of multiple fluorescences and light scatter induced by illumination of single cells or microscopic particles in suspension, as they flow rapidly through a sensing area. In some systems, individual cells or particles may be sorted according to the properties exhibited. By using appropriate fluorescent markers, FCM is unique in that multiple structural and functional parameters can be quantified simultaneously on a single-particle basis, whereas up to thousands of biological particles per second may be examined. FCM is increasingly used for basic, clinical, biotechnological, and environmental studies of biochemical relevance. In this critical review, we summarize the main advantages and limitations of FCM for biochemical studies and discuss briefly the most relevant parameters and analytical strategies. Graphical examples of the biological information provided by multiparametric FCM are presented. Also, this review contains specific sections on flow cytoenzymology, FCM analysis of isolated subcellular organelles, and cell-free FCM.     

Fundamentals of flow cytometry

Flow cytomelers arc instruments that arc used primarily to measure the physical and biochemical characteristics of biological particles. This technology is used to perform measurements on whole cells as well as prepared cellular constituents, such as nuclei and organelles. Flow cytomcters are investigative tools for a broad range of scientific disciplines because they make measurements on thousands of individual cells/ particles in a matter of seconds. This is a unique advantage relative to other detection instruments that provide bulk particle measurements. Flow cytomety is a complex and highly technical field; therefore, a basic understanding of the technology is essential for all users. The purpose of this article is to provide fundamental information about the instrumentation used for flow cytometry as well as the methods used to analyze and interpret data. This information will provide a foundation to use flow cytometry effectively as a research tool.     

重组酶聚合酶扩增技术在植物病毒检测中的应用

随着分子生物学技术的发展,多种核酸等温扩增技术逐渐被开发出来。其中,重组酶聚合酶扩增(recombinase polymerase amplification,RPA)作为一种快速、灵敏的检测技术具有很大的优势。目前,RPA已应用于转基因生物、各类病原物及食品安全检测等多个领域,并作为新兴技术在植物病毒检测领域中快速发展。RPA技术只需一对引物,在恒温条件下(37-42℃)只需30 min左右即可完成反应,具有较高的灵敏度与特异性。因此,该技术正迅速成为一种能够用于条件有限的实验室或现场植物病毒检测的手段。本文介绍了RPA技术的检测原理、引物设计和应用方式,综述了其在植物病毒检测中的最新研究进展及存在的问题,为RPA技术在植物病毒检测中的应用提供参考。     

The potential of flow cytometry in the study of Bacillus cereus

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a rapid method allowing the acquisition of multiparametric data from thousands of individual cells within a sample. As well as measuring the intrinsic light scattering properties of cells, a plethora of fluorescent dyes may be employed to yield information on macromolecule content, surface antigens present or physiological status. Despite FCM's indispensability within other fields e.g. immunology, it is underutilized within microbiological research. In this review, a strong case is presented for the potential of FCM in the study of Gram-positive spore-former, Bacillus cereus . Previous reports where FCM was successfully used in the study of B. cereus are reviewed along with relevant studies involving other members of the genus. Under headings reflecting common research themes associated with B. cereus , specific instances where FCM has generated novel data, providing a unique insight into the organism, are discussed. Further applications are posited, based on the authors' own research with FCM and B. cereus and work extant in the broader field of microbial cytometry. The authors conclude that, while the expense of equipment and reagents is an undeniable disadvantage, FCM is a technique capable of generating significantly novel data and allows the design and execution of experiments that are not possible with any other technique.     

流式细胞术分析和分拣植物染色体

流式细胞术是当染色体、细胞核和细胞等颗粒随着流动的液体（水或缓冲液）通过一个测量点时,被探测器探测到,这样根据颗粒的物理和化学特征而将不同的颗粒分开并计数分拣的技术。流式细胞分析在人类基因组计划中发挥了重要作用,流式细胞技术的应用也适用于植物,目前这个技术应用范围包括流式核型分析,分拣纯化染色体,定位基因,构建文库等。文章综述了流式细胞术在植物基因组分析方面的研究进展。     

Modeling flow cytometry data for cancer vaccine immune monitoring

Flow cytometry (FCM) is widely used in cancer research for diagnosis, detection of minimal residual disease, as well as immune monitoring and profiling following immunotherapy. In all these applications, the challenge is to detect extremely rare cell subsets while avoiding spurious positive events. To achieve this objective, it helps to be able to analyze FCM data using multiple markers simultaneously, since the additional information provided often helps to minimize the number of false positive and false negative events, hence increasing both sensitivity and specificity. However, with manual gating, at most two markers can be examined in a single dot plot, and a sequential strategy is often used. As the sequential strategy discards events that fall outside preceding gates at each stage, the effectiveness of the strategy is difficult to evaluate without laborious and painstaking back-gating. Model-based analysis is a promising computational technique that works using information from all marker dimensions simultaneously, and offers an alternative approach to flow analysis that can usefully complement manual gating in the design of optimal gating strategies. Results from model-based analysis will be illustrated with examples from FCM assays commonly used in cancer immunotherapy laboratories.     

植物诱变技术的研究进展

植物诱变技术是指利用外界因素加快物种遗传变异,在短期内获得有利用价值的突变体,为培育新种质、新品种及基因功能的研究等创造条件。相对于自然的选择,诱变技术具有高频率、广突变、周期短等特性。主要论述了常用的化学诱变、物理诱变、空间诱变和生物诱变等诱变手段,并详细介绍了上述诱变技术的诱变机理、生物学效应、常用的诱变方式及其在植物应用中的研究现状。针对现行各种诱变技术的不足提出了今后努力的方向。     

Chloroplast functionality assessment by flow cytometry: Case study with pea plants under Paraquat stress

Photosynthesis is one of the most important processes in plant biology and in the development of new methodologies that allow a better understanding and characterization of the photosynthetic status of organisms, which is invaluable. Flow cytometry (FCM) is an excellent tool for measuring fluorescence and physical proprieties of particles but it has seldom been used in photosynthetic studies and thus the full extent of its potentialities, in this field of research, remains unknown. To determine the suitability of FCM in photosynthesis studies, pea plants were exposed to Paraquat and their status was analyzed during 24 h. FCM was used to evaluate the integrity (volume and internal complexity) and the relative fluorescence intensity (FL) of chloroplasts extracted from those plants. To elucidate which type of information the FL conveys, FL values were correlated with the minimum fluorescence level (F₀), maximum fluorescence level (F_m) and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), obtained by using Pulse-Amplitude-Modulation (PAM) fluorometry. Results indicate that: (1) the biomarkers used to evaluate the structural integrity of the chloroplasts were more sensitive to Paraquat exposure than the ones related to fluorescence; (2) the variation of the chloroplast??s structure, as time progressed, pointed to a swelling and subsequent burst of the chloroplast which, in turn, compromised fluorescence emission; (3) FL presented a high and significant correlation with the F_v/F_m and to a lesser degree with Fm but not with F₀; (4) pigment content did not reveal significant changes in response to Paraquat exposure and is in agreement with the proposed model, suggesting that the cause for fluorescence decrease is due to chloroplast disruption. In sum, FCM proved to be an outstanding technique to evaluate chloroplastidal functional and structural status and therefore it should be regarded as a valuable asset in the field of photosynthetic research.     

Scanning fluorescent microscopy analysis is applicable for absolute and relative cell frequency determinations.

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometry (FCM) and laser scanning cytometry (LSC) are the routine techniques for fluorescent cell analysis. Recently, we developed a scanning fluorescent microscopy (SFM) technique. This study compares SFM to LSC (two slide-based cytometry, SBC, techniques) and FCM, in experimental and clinical settings. METHODS: For the relative cell-frequency determinations, HT29 colorectal cancer cells and Ficoll separated blood mononuclear cells (FSBMCs) were serially diluted (from 1:1 to 1:1,000) and measured by each of the three techniques. For the absolute cell number determinations (only for SBC) FSBMCs were smeared on slides, then HT29 cells were placed on the slide with a micromanipulator (5-50 cells). Tumor cells circulating in the peripheral blood were isolated by magnetic separation from clinical blood samples of colorectal cancer patients. All samples were double-stained by CD45 ECD and CAM5.2 FITC antibodies. For slides, TOTO-3 and Hoechst 33258 DNA dyes were applied as nuclear counter staining. RESULTS: In the relative cell frequency determinations, the correlations between the calculated value and measured values by SFM, LSC, and FCM were r(2) = 0.79, 0.62, and 0.84, respectively (for all P < 0.01). In the absolute cell frequency determinations, SFM and LSC correlated to a high degree (r(2) = 0.97; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SFM proved to be a reliable alternative method, providing results comparable to LSC and FCM. SBC proved to be more suitable for rare-cell detection than FCM. SFM with digital slides may prove an acceptable adaptation of conventional fluorescent microscopes in order to perform rare-cell detection.     

Estimation of nuclear DNA content in plants using flow cytometry

Flow cytometry (FCM) using DNA-selective fluorochromes is now the prevailing method for the measurement of nuclear DNA content in plants. Ease of sample preparation and high sample throughput make it generally better suited than other methods such as Feulgen densitometry to estimate genome size, level of generative polyploidy, nuclear replication state and endopolyploidy (polysomaty). Here we present four protocols for sample preparation (suspensions of intact cell nuclei) and describe the analysis of nuclear DNA amounts using FCM. We consider the chemicals and equipment necessary, the measurement process, data analysis, and describe the most frequent problems encountered with plant material such as the interference of secondary metabolites. The purpose and requirement of internal and external standardization are discussed. The importance of using a correct terminology for DNA amounts and genome size is underlined, and its basic principles are explained.     

Use of flow cytometric methods for single-cell analysis in environmental microbiology

Flow cytometry (FCM) is emerging as an important tool in environmental microbiology. Although flow cytometry applications have to date largely been restricted to certain specialized fields of microbiology, such as the bacterial cell cycle and marine phytoplankton communities, technical advances in instrumentation and methodology are leading to its increased popularity and extending its range of applications. Here we will focus on a number of recent flow cytometry developments important for addressing questions in environmental microbiology. These include (i) the study of microbial physiology under environmentally relevant conditions, (ii) new methods to identify active microbial populations and to isolate previously uncultured microorganisms, and (iii) the development of high-throughput autofluorescence bioreporter assays.     

Molecular markers: a potential resource for ginger genetic diversity studies

Ginger is an economically important and valuable plant around the world. Ginger is used as a food, spice, condiment, medicine and ornament. There is available information on biochemical aspects of ginger, but few studies have been reported on its molecular aspects. The main objective of this review is to accumulate the available molecular marker information and its application in diverse ginger studies. This review article was prepared by combing material from published articles and our own research. Molecular markers allow the identification and characterization of plant genotypes through direct access to hereditary material. In crop species, molecular markers are applied in different aspects and are useful in breeding programs. In ginger, molecular markers are commonly used to identify genetic variation and classify the relatedness among varieties, accessions, and species. Consequently, it provides important input in determining resourceful management strategies for ginger improvement programs. Alternatively, a molecular marker could function as a harmonizing tool for documenting species. This review highlights the application of molecular markers (isozyme, RAPD, AFLP, SSR, ISSR and others such as RFLP, SCAR, NBS and SNP) in genetic diversity studies of ginger species. Some insights on the advantages of the markers are discussed. The detection of genetic variation among promising cultivars of ginger has significance for ginger improvement programs. This update of recent literature will help researchers and students select the appropriate molecular markers for ginger-related research.