Technologies for systems-level analysis of individual cell types in plants

• Published in: Plant science (Limerick) Vol. 197; pp. 21 - 29
• Main Authors: Wang, Dongxue, Mills, E. Shannon, Deal, Roger B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 30.08.2012
• ISSN: 0168-9452; 1873-2259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2012.08.012

The study of biological processes at cell type resolution requires the isolation of the specific cell types from an organism, but this presents a great technical challenge. In recent years a number of methods have been developed that allow deep analyses of the epigenome, transcriptome, and ribosome-associated mRNA populations in individual cell types. The application of these methods has lead to a clearer understanding of important issues in plant biology, including cell fate specification and cell type-specific responses to the environment. In this review, we discuss current mechanical- and affinity-based technologies available for isolation and analysis of individual cell types in a plant. The integration of these methods is proposed as a means of achieving a holistic view of cellular processes at all levels, from chromatin dynamics to metabolomics. Finally, we explore the limitations of current methods and the needs for future technological development.