Tissue Microdissection - Localization of Cell-Specific Defence Systems

Our goal is to localize cell-specific chemical and anatomical defences.  We are testing for patterns of defence chemicals, proteins and transcripts in specialized cells that are thought to provide constitutive or induced resistance against weevils. These structures are constitutive and traumatic resin ducts (CRD, TRD), stone cells, and phloem parenchyma (PP) cells. We are taking two approaches:

  1. Tissue micro-dissection for subsequent metabolite and gene expression
    analysis and,
  2. Immuno-localization of defence proteins.


We have successfully dissected cells and tissues (e.g. cambium zone, resin ducts) from sections of more than 20 µm thickness. Our co-funder, the Max-Planck Institute also established LAM methods for spruce metabolite profiling. They identified phenolic defence chemicals in LAM-isolated stone cells using NMR analysis (Li et al., 2007). In our laboratory, we successfully localized proteins involved in ethylene signaling (ACC-synthase, ACC-oxidase) (Hudgins et al., 2006, and Ralph et al., 2007) and a diterpene synthase (Keeling and Bohlmann, 2006). For further information, please contact Joerg Bohlmann.