3D visualization of plant seed's growth

Scientists from CNRS at the University J. Fourier of Grenoble and from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) have recently succeeded in constructing 3D pictures of a living plant seed using the holotomography technique with synchrotron light. This revealed the presence of a network of voids between the cells that may be used for storing the oxygen needed for efficient germination. For more information, see the paper, "Quantitative phase tomography of Arabidopsis seeds reveals intercellular void network", P. Cloetens et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online before print September 14, 2006.