Course: Modern Techniques of Immunofluorescence

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Course title Modern Techniques of Immunofluorescence
Course code KBI/MITA
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech, English
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Ovečka Miroslav, prof. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. History of the development and introduction of immunofluorescence in biological research, theoretical base and the main advantages of immunofluorescence. Comparison with other methods of fluorescence detection. 2. Basic concept of the use of immunofluorescence at the tissue and cellular levels, the principles of epitopes detection in cells and in isolated fractions. Principles and methods for detecting proteins and other molecules. 3. Basic methods of detection by direct and indirect immunofluorescence. Detection systems based on specific antibodies and biotin-streptavidin system. Conjugation of markers, selectivity and specificity. Detection using fluorochromes and comparison with the methods of conjugated enzymes, colloidal gold and silver particles. 4. Methods of sample preparation for immunofluorescence. Methods of fixation by physical, chemical and combined methods, the availability of epitopes for antibodies. Immunofluorescence microscopy of whole plant organs and sectioned samples. 5. Practical preparation of plant samples for the immunofluorescence detection, fixation, digestion of the cell wall and plasma membrane permeabilization. 6. Immunological principles of antibodies use in cell biology, structure, classification, function and types of antibodies. 7. Uses of antibodies in immunofluorescence microscopy. Primary and secondary antibodies. The antibody concentration, incubation times and conditions, blocking of non-specific binding. The fluorescent properties of conjugated fluorochromes, separation of excitation / emission spectra, multicolour colocalization, positive and negative controls. 8. Various methods of counterstaining of cellular structures in plant samples after immunofluorescent labelling for microscopic identification. Methods for the preparation of stable microscopic slides by closing the sample in a suitable medium, preventing bleaching and fading of fluorescence during microscopic imaging. 9. Practical immunostaining of prepared fixed plant samples using a predetermined primary and secondary antibodies, the final preparation of specimens for microscopic observation. 10. Imaging of prepared objects in the fluorescence microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope. Demonstration of the specificity, stability and intensity of fluorescence labelling. 11. Confocal microscopy with a spinning disk, evaluation of changes in structure and mobility of cytoskeleton and endosomes 12. Assessment of methodological approaches and data obtained in the presentation of interactive protocols.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified
Learning outcomes
Provides comprehensive theoretical and practical information to understand the significance of the methods and their practical application in the study of plant cells
Students will gain theoretical basis for understanding the benefits of immunofluorescence in plant cell biology with the ability to apply this knowledge in practice
Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Participation and delivery of a protocol from the practical part
Recommended literature
  • Bacallao R, Sohrab S, Phillips C. (2006). Guiding principles of specimen preservation for confocal fluorescence microscopy. In: Handbook of Biological Confocal Microscopy, Third Edition. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, New York.
  • Haseloff J, Dormand E-L, Brand AH. (1999). Live imaging of green fluorescent protein. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 122: Confocal Microscopy Methods and Protocols . Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ.
  • Wymer CL, Beven AF, Boudonck K, Lloyd CW. (1999). Confocal microscopy of plant cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 122: Confocal Microscopy Methods and Protocols. Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (2022) Category: Chemistry courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter