This
#sciencecommunication #article covers new research on the use of
#Xray #computedtomography to study
#plantmicrobeinteractions. It focuses on the technology's application as a primary
#researchtool rather than merely a secondary
#imaging method.
Samples for study purposes of the complex
#interactions between and
#plants and
#microorganisms are often removed and isolated from their
#microecologicalcontext, allowing
#scientists to investigate specific organism-plant associated interactions.
However according to authors E. C. Pereira and C. A. Bell (2026), this approach overlooks the crucial importance of the
#threedimensional context. Consequently, they recommend using X-ray computed tomography for studies where the intact micro-ecological system, and its spatial,
#physicalcontext, must remain undisturbed.
The researchers anticipate that their methodological approach will "enable the integration of structural data obtained via X-ray computed tomography with
#molecular,
#microbiome, and
#modeling approaches."
Regarding the latter approach type they emphasize that data derived from studying these intact
#microecosystems will be used to create
#predictive, structure-oriented
#insilico #models, that is: computer
#simulations.
©
#StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin
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Reference:
E. C. Pereira & C. A. Bell (2026):
doi.org/10.1111/nph.71252
#Photos:
#Rhizosphere of a
#Ficus #benjamina #bonsai tree, July 2026, Berlin
