Optoperforation of single, intact Arabidopsis cells for uptake of extracellular dye-conjugated dextran.

A plant science research goal is to manipulate single cells in an intact organism in order to study their interactions with neighboring cells. Based on a technique previously demonstrated in isolated plant cells, mammalian cells and cyanobacteria, Arabidopsis epidermal cells were optoperforated to allow for uptake of external cascade blue-labeled dextrans. Adverse organelle responses were determined to be minimal and dye retention was demonstrated for at least 72 hours.