For the First Time Ever: Scientists Watch Plant Cells Generate Cellulose and Build Cell Walls in Real Time!

A team of researchers have captured continuous photographs of cellulose synthesis through which plant cell walls get built with the help of living plant cells.

The study, published in Science Advances journal, was carried forward by a team of researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. They captured images of the microscopic process of the cell-wall building for a duration of more than 24 hours with living plant cells, read a statement on the university's website.

Decoding cellulose synthesis process

This is the first-of-its-kind observance of the dynamic process of cell-wall construction in real time, SciTechDaily reported. It added that the study provides several insights that may help in developing lower-cost biofuels as well as enhance food production.

Further, it has opened up practical possibilities in areas like medical innovations, biofuels, biodegradable plastics, and textiles.

The researchers believe that it can even contribute towards fundamental knowledge as it provides in-depth understanding of the formation of cell walls.

It is the result of over six years of collaboration among three of the university's laboratories, which includes the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering.

Sang-Hyuk Lee, an author of the study, said the research is the "first direct visualisation" about how cellulose synthesises and "self-assembles into a dense fibril network on a plant cell surface, since Robert Hooke’s first microscopic observation of cell walls in 1667”.

It gives latest insights about how simple and basic mechanisms like diffusion and self-organisation could lead to "the formation of complex cellulose networks in cells," added Sang-Hyuk Lee, who is an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

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How does cellulose build itself?

As per the official release, the microscope-generated video images of the study feature protoplasts of Arabidopsis that go on to sprout filaments of cellulose fibers. These later go on to self-assemble as part of a complex network on the outer surface of the cell.

After seeing the video images for the first time, Lee said he was "very surprised" looking at the emerging ordered structures that came out of the "chaotic dance of molecules".

Eric Lam, another author on the study, said the research provides a platform for others to start "dissecting the genes that could play various roles for cellulose biosynthesis in the plant”.

In the future, the information from the future studies can give clues for approaches to "design better plants for carbon capture, improve tolerance to all kinds of environmental stresses...optimize second-generation cellulosic biofuels production," added Lam.

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FAQs

1. What is cellulose synthesis?
It is the process through which plant cell walls get built via living plant cells.

2. Who was Robert Hooke?
The 17th-century scientist made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, mechanics, biology and astronomy.