A Basic Method for Hoechst (33258) Staining of Nuclei from Whole Root Tissues of Oryza sativa

Unveiling the epigenetic landscape of plants using flow cytometry approach

Plants are sessile creatures that have to adapt constantly changing environmental circumstances. Plants are subjected to a range of abiotic stressors as a result of unpredictable climate change. Understanding how stress-responsive genes are regulated can help us better understand how plants can adapt to changing environmental conditions. Epigenetic markers that dynamically change in response to stimuli, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications are known to regulate gene expression. Individual cells or particles' physical and/or chemical properties can be measured using the method known as flow cytometry. It may therefore be used to evaluate changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and other epigenetic markers, making it a potent tool for researching epigenetics in plants. We explore the use of flow cytometry as a technique for examining epigenetic traits in this thorough discussion. The separation of cell nuclei and their subsequent labeling with fluorescent antibodies, offering information on the epigenetic mechanisms in plants when utilizing flow cytometry. We also go through the use of high-throughput data analysis methods to unravel the complex epigenetic processes occurring inside plant systems.

Pr3+ doped NaYF4 and LiYF4 nanocrystals combining visible-to-UVC upconversion and NIR-to-NIR-II downconversion luminescence emissions for biomedical applications

Lanthanide-doped fluoride nanocrystals (NCs) are known to exhibit unique optical properties, such as upconversion and downconversion luminescence (UCL and DCL), which can be employed for various applications. In this work, we demonstrate that by doping praseodymium(III) and ytterbium(III) ions (Pr³⁺ and Yb³⁺) into a nanosized fluoride matrix (i.e. NaYF₄ and LiYF₄), it is possible to combine their UCL and DCL properties that can be concurrently used for biomedical applications. In particular, the emissive modes combined in a single nanoparticle co-doped with Pr³⁺ and Yb³⁺ include DCL emission (excited at 980 nm and peaked at 1320 nm), which can be used for near infrared (NIR) DCL bioimaging in the NIR-II window of biological tissue transparency (∼1000-1350 nm) and UCL emission (excited at 447 nm and peaked at 275 nm) that can be employed for germicide action (via irradiation by light in the UVC range). A possibility of the latter was demonstrated by the denaturation of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) into single-stranded ones that was caused by the UVC UCL emission from the NCs under 447 nm irradiation; it was evidenced by the hyperchromicity observed in the irradiated dsDNA solution and also by a fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU) assay. Concurrently, the possibility of NIR-II luminescence bioimaging through biological tissues (bovine tooth and chicken flesh) was demonstrated. The proposed concept paves a way for NIR-II imaging guided antimicrobial phototherapy using lanthanide-doped fluoride nanocrystals.