Visualizing Water Transport Systems
I helped develop High Resolution Computed x-ray Tomography as a visualization tool to study the 3D organization of xylem networks and better understand how the spatial distribution of vessels and intervessel connections influence water transport and the spread of air embolisms or baterial pathogens.
In this video, a section of grapevine (Vitis arizonica) stem is revealed as a series of 4.5 µm serial sections, followed by 3D volume renderings of the stem node and some of the vessels that either supply water to the leaves, or bypass the node and continue up the stem.
Visualizing Intervessel Connectivity
This video shows approximately 2 cm of an oak (Quercus) root xylem network. Vessels colored in yellow are connected, vessels colored in blue are not connected (i.e. solitary). How do changes in xylem connectivity influence water and nutrient distribution? Does xylem network connectivity change within the same tissue over long distances? These questions were previously exceedingly difficult to answer with traditional methods. MicroCT imaging enables the visualization of these complex networks.