The current development of scientific research in both animal and plant biology is strongly dominated by the fast advancement of knowledge in genomics, proteomics and metabolomics. However, the enormous amount of information published daily on the genetic composition of living organisms is useless unless the proteins and their assemblages that are encoded by the sequenced genes are characterized concerning the location where and molecular environment within they exert their function. First step in unraveling function is visualization at plant level (mutant analysis), tissue level (RNA) but also at cell level, the protein. Therefore, cell biological techniques are becoming increasingly important and molecular biologists will have to be familiar with the most essential methods in this field.

The EMBO practical course on plant cell biology aims to meet this current demand by providing young plant molecular cell biologists with an overview of the current visualization techniques in cell biology, allowing them to obtain both hands-on experience and theoretical background knowledge.  During the course various microscopic techniques will be applied for the observation of living and fixed cell material thereby emphasizing the importance of suitable in vitro models. In congruence with our expertise, as example for an experimental system, the functioning and visualization of the cytoskeletal elements in the processes of cell division, cell growth and cell wall formation will be investigated in the various experimental setups. However, very importantly, students will be encouraged to use their own biological material if suitable.