X-Ray Imaging in Plant Biology: Seeing the Unseen

Keith Duncan, a research scientist in Chris Topp’s lab, was recently featured on A Scientist Walks into a Bar, a podcast from Science on Tap and Via Productions. Listen to the podcast to hear him discuss x-ray imaging in plant biology and how he is harnessing the technology, in collaboration with our scientists, to improve the human condition through plant science. 

Click here to listen to the full podcast episode, X-ray Imaging in Plant Biology: Seeing the Unseen. See below for the images and animations that Keith references throughout the episode. 

~4:44 3D X-ray tomography scan of a watch

~7:30 Large scale high resolution x-ray tomography (XRT) instrument in Chris Topp’s lab at the Danforth Center

~8:00  Diagram of how x-ray tomography works (2D)

~8:35 Full 3D volume generated for non-destructive digital dissection, analysis, and measurement

~9:22 3D x-ray tomography scan of developing maize ear

~10:31 3D x-ray tomography scan of developing maize tassel

~11:25 3D x-ray tomography scan of mature ear of seed corn

~11:40 Young soybean floret (red box), diagram of 3D x-ray microscopy (XRM), and view inside instrument

~13:00 3D x-ray tomography scan of soybean floret

~14:00 3D x-ray tomography scan of broccoli

~15:10 Grain sorghum panicle diversity

~15:45 Positioning sorghum panicle inside instrument for 3D x-ray tomography

~15:45 3D x-ray tomography scan of a sorghum panicle

~19:05 3D x-ray tomography scan of grapes

~19:20 3D x-ray tomography scan of grape rachis

~21:25 3D x-ray tomography scan of grape bud

~22:08 3D x-ray tomography scan of grape graft

~23:45 3D x-ray tomography scan of corn roots

~25:17 3D x-ray tomography scan of maize root tips

~26:17 Cassava roots

~27:35 3D x-ray tomography scan of cassava roots

~28:05 Digital segmentation of cassava roots growing in potting mix using digital radiograph images

~29:02 Cassava storage roots

~32:36 Kernza or Intermediate Wheatgrass, Patagonia Provisions

~34:00 Mounting perennial switchgrass for 3D x-ray tomography imaging

~34:35 3D x-ray tomography scan of a segment of switchgrass root system

~35:00 Computer-identified root system segmented from full x-ray scan of alfalfa plant growing in soil

~37:20 X-ray microscope 3D imaging of soybean nodule

~38:40 3D x-ray microscope scan of maize root colonized by mycorrhizal fungus

~39:16 Computer segmentation of fungal structures within maize roots

~39:53 3D x-ray tomography scan of Teff grass

~40:44 3D x-ray tomography scan of Duckweed

~41:21 3D x-ray tomography scan of Setaria

~42:39 3D x-ray tomography scan of hops bud

~43:39 3D x-ray tomography scan of a maize kernel

~45:39 3D x-ray tomography scan of whiskey barrel stave

~46:10 3D x-ray tomography fly-through of whiskey barrel stave

~47:05 1,500-year-old maize stalk artifact

~47:45 3D x-ray tomography scan of 1,500-year-old maize stalk artifact

~48:35 5,300-year-old maize root artifact

~48:55 3D x-ray tomography scan of 5,300-year-old maize root artifact