Techniques
We use a variety of specialized techniques. We have published many of these methods in peer reviewed journals so other labs can benefit from our optimizations.
Electrophysiology
We are a core member of the Membrane Transporter Expression Facility (MTEF). This is a one of a kind facility in Australia. This is frequently used in our research, for collaboration and also run as a service. Our custom built electrophysiology lab houses:
- A Xenopus laevis oocyte colony
- Multiple Two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) set-ups
- Manual patch clamp electrophysiology rigs
- Automated Nanion port-a-patch
- Microelectrode Ion Flux Estimation (MIFE)
- Membrane potential and ion concentration measurement
- Simultaneous flux and current measurement
Water transport and gas exchange
- Multiple infra-red gas exchange analysis units
- Stopped-flow spectrophotometry
- Single cell and whole tissue pressure probe
- Hydraulic conductance analysis units (Xy’lem and HCFM)
- Turgor probes
Plant growth
- VitiCanopy – an app to measure Leaf Area Index in grapevine Canopy (in development for android)
- Hydroponics growth of Arabidopsis
- Hydroponic growth of fruiting grapevine in controlled conditions to analyse reproductive performance and physiology
- Tissue culture facilities
- Access to extensive growth room and greenhouse facilities including the Plant Accelerator
Single cell analysis
- In situ PCR
- Single cell sampling and analysis (SiCSA) for ion concentrations and expression analysis – example 1, example 2, example 3.
- Transient transformation of Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts for protein localisation and protein-protein interactions
- Aequorin for plant calcium concentration measurement
- Confocal microscopy
- Standard plant molecular biology techniques (qPCR, plant transformation, cloning, heterologous expression for functional analysis)
