Plant BiFC Transient Expression and Confocal Imaging Service
Plant BiFC Expression and Imaging
CD BioSciences provides plant BiFC transient expression and confocal imaging services for projects with prepared BiFC constructs or construct-ready plasmids.
The service focuses on Agrobacterium transformation, plant transient expression, timepoint design, fluorescence channel imaging, image collection, and technical reporting.
Service Overview
Plant BiFC imaging is commonly performed using Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Candidate BiFC constructs are co-expressed in plant cells, and reconstituted fluorescence is observed using confocal microscopy together with suitable controls.
This page is intended for projects where the main need is expression and imaging rather than new construct design. Construct verification is still recommended before infiltration and imaging.
Transient Expression Workflow
Figure 1. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression workflow for plant BiFC imaging.
- Review of supplied plasmids and control groups
- Agrobacterium transformation and positive verification
- Preparation of infiltration mixtures
- Co-infiltration into plant leaves
- Expression timepoint selection
- Confocal image acquisition
- Image organization and report preparation
Confocal Imaging Outputs
Imaging channels can be planned according to the fluorescent fragments, localization markers, and plant material. Typical outputs include BiFC signal channel, marker channel, bright field or DIC image, and merged images.
Figure 2. Representative confocal channel layout for BiFC imaging.
| Channel | Purpose |
|---|---|
| YFP or BiFC signal | Detects reconstituted fluorescent signal from candidate protein pair. |
| RFP or mCherry marker | Supports localization or co-localization interpretation when marker constructs are included. |
| Bright field or DIC | Documents cell morphology and imaging field context. |
| Merged image | Shows spatial relationship between BiFC signal, marker signal, and cell structure. |
Experimental Design Options
Common imaging windows include 48 hpi and 72 hpi, but timepoints can be adjusted based on expression behavior and signal development.
Agrobacterium density and helper constructs such as P19 may be adjusted carefully to balance expression and background.
Multiple independent leaf areas and representative fields can be collected to support result interpretation.
Nuclear, membrane, organelle, or structural markers can be included when localization context is required.
Sample and Information Requirements
- Verified BiFC plasmids or Agrobacterium strains
- Vector maps, resistance information, and sequencing results
- Expected BiFC pair combinations and control groups
- Desired plant expression system
- Localization marker requirements
- Preferred imaging timepoints and channels
- Any known toxicity or expression issues
- Desired number of representative images or fields
Deliverables
- Agrobacterium transformation records, when included
- Transient expression setup records
- Original confocal images by channel
- YFP/BiFC signal images
- Marker and bright field images
- Merged representative images
- Imaging parameter summary, when available
- Technical report with control and interpretation notes
Related Services
Please contact us with plasmid information, control group design, and expected imaging channels for project evaluation.
For research use only, not for clinical use.