Helios: high-throughput shoot phenotyping of plant-microbe interactions

We are happy to announce the arrival of NPEC’s Helios phenotyping facility for the quantitive description of shoot architectural traits and the localisation and quantification of fluorescent proteins expressed by plant shoots or associated microorganisms.

Helios will be able to host between 1260 and 63 plants depending on size and with maximum heights of 100 cm. Automated plant handling and precise irrigation under controlled environmental conditions will allow for optimal experimental conditions and will be followed by phenotyping via 3D laser scanning triangulation and RGB, fluorescence and VNIR hyperspectral imaging.

Helios will be created in accordance with the PMC-III restriction level to allow work with GM microorganisms and is developed by Photon Systems Instruments.