Plants are exposed to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses that hinder their growth and reduce crop productivity. In their adaptive response, plants use signaling molecules that are trafficked throughout the plant. This research focuses on the chemical synthesis and assessment of analogs of the plant signal phytosulfokine (PSK, a sulfated pentapeptide), its delivery to plants and its observation using a fiber-optic fluorescence microscope. PSK regulates growth, cell expansion, heat tolerance, and tissue longevity. Analogs of PSK were synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis. Pure PSK and TAMRA-labeled PSK were delivered into the wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 and a transgenic line expressing PSKR-GFP (PSK receptor – green fluorescent protein). PSKR-GFP could be detected in imaging experiments, but no internalization was observed upon treatment with PSK. Successful implementation of a microscopic approach suited for live plants opens a path to understanding how plants signal and adapt under different stress conditions.

The master’s thesis deals with the methods and system for measurement of concentration of intracellular calcium in LabVIEW. The thesis included theoretical and practical parts. The thesis covers the theory of fluorescence principles, fluorescence methods and indicators for measurement of concentration of intracellular calcium. The procedure of measurement by means of fluorescence microscope, camera and indicators is also mentioned. Literary solution is presented. Block diagram of system for measurement of concentration of intracellular calcium at a graphical programming environment LabVIEW is presented in practical part of master’s thesis.

Master‘s thesis deals with the methods and system for measurement of concentration of intracellular calcium in LabVIEW. The thesis covers the theory of fluorescence principles, fluorescence methods and indicators for measurement of concentration of intracellular calcium. The procedure of measurement by means of fluorescence microscope, camera and indicators is also mentioned. The theory dealing with confocal microscopy is presented and two techniques are compared. Literary solution is presented. The practical part describes the program with a graphical user interface used for acquisition and analysis of data measuring dynamics of intracellular calcium concentration. The experimental part describes the preparation and measurement of cells and evaluation of experiments.