A New method to analyze individual photosynthetic abilities of young plant seedlings using positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS)

Kawachi, Naoki; Koyanagi, Atsushi*; Suzui, Nobuo; Ishii, Satomi; Yin, Y.-G.; Yamazaki, Haruaki; Iwasaki, Aya*; Ogawa, Kenichi*; Fujimaki, Shu

We had employed the positron emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) in combination with carbon-11- labeled carbon dioxide (CO) as the tracer gas. In the present study, we have developed a new method based on PETIS and CO to evaluate individual photosynthetic abilities of young seedlings planted collectively on a petri dish with agar culture medium and thus investigate the effect of genetic modification or treatment on plant biomass enhancement. We report for the first time a method based on the use of PETIS and tracer gas of CO for the quantitative and statistical evaluation of carbon fixation by small plant individuals. We plan to extend this method to the analysis of the relationship between the individual carbon fixation ability and gene expression, which is probably related to photosynthesis.