Stomatal Dynamics and Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, developed in the laboratory of Allen J. Bard to examine electrochemical and catalytic reactions, is a powerful new tool for studying chemical and biological processes. SECM records changes in faradaic current as a microelectrode is moved cross the surface of a sample. It provides detailed information about surface topography, as well the chemical and electrical properties of the surface. We are applying SECM to biological applications, beginning with guard cell photosynthesis in single stomatal complexes. The above image shows oxygen evolution from three such complexes (see Tsionsky et al. 1997 Photosynthetic electron transport in single guard cells as measured by scanning electrochemical microscopy. Plant Physiology 113:895-901). In addition to Allen Bard, collaborators include Michael Tsionsky of UT Austin and Zoe Cardon of Bowdoin College.

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Last modified 9 February 2000
This document is maintained by Rob Jackson