ABSTRACT
Visualizing GFP emission in transgenic plants is technically quite simple. Tissue is illuminated with blue light at the 480 nm wavelength and, if
GFP
is present, green light is emitted. However, the green light emitted tends to be cloaked by blue light; therefore a blue-blocking filter is used so that only green emission can be visualized (Gray et al., 2000). Common fluorescent compound microscopes can be fitted with the requisite emission and barrier filters and stereomicroscopes have been developed specifically to view GFP; however, such stereomicroscopes typically cost over $15,000. In this chapter, we describe the construction and operation of a simple system for visualizing GFP that employs a commercially available fiber optic illuminator and filters (Figure 22.1). The illuminator is suitable for visualizing GFP emission both micro-and macroscopically. Most tissue culturalists have access to a common stereomicroscope and fiber optic illuminator, and their adaptation into a simple illumination system would greatly facilitate the use of GFP technology by reducing cost.
