Chloroplast biogenesis is a complex process integrated with plant development, leading to fully differentiated and functionally mature plastids. In this paper, the process of structural membrane transformation during the etioplast - chloroplast transition is reconstructed with the help of electron tomography and confocal microscopy. 3D reconstruction is the only method that leads to an understanding of the transformation of the regular, tubular network of paracrystalline prolamellar bodies (PLB) and prothylakoids (PT), flattened porous membranes, to the chloroplast thylakoids. We provide spatial models of the bean chloroplast biogenesis that allow such reconstruction of the internal membranes of the developing chloroplast and visualize the transformation from the tubular arrangement to the linear system of parallel lamellae. We prove that the tubular structure of the PLB transforms directly to flat slats, without dispersion to vesicles. We demonstrate that the grana/stroma thylakoid connections have a helical character starting from the early stages of appressed membrane formation. Moreover, we point out the importance of particular chlorophyll-protein (CP) complex components in the membrane stacking during the biogenesis. The main stages of chloroplast internal membrane biogenesis are presented in a movie that shows the time development of the chloroplast biogenesis as a 'dynamic' model of this process.

Main conclusion: The changes in the expression of key sugar metabolism enzymes (SPS and SUS), sucrose content and arrangement of chloroplast starch may play a significant role in the cold response inM. giganteus and maize plants. To understand the mechanism of the chilling-response of two closely-related C₄plants, we investigated the changes in the expression of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose synthase (SUS) as well as changes in their potential products: sucrose, cellulose and starch in the leaves ofMiscanthus × giganteusandZea mays. Low temperature (12–14 °C) increased SPS content inMiscanthus(MG) and chilling-sensitive maize line (Zm-S), but not in chilling-tolerant one (Zm-T). In Zm-S line, chilling also caused the higher intensity of labelling of SPS in the cytoplasm of mesophyll cells, as demonstrated by electron microscopy. SUS labelling was also increased by cold stress only in MG plants what was observed in the secondary wall between mesophyll and bundle sheath cells, as well as in the vacuoles of companion cells. Cold led to a marked increase in total starch grain area in the chloroplasts of Zm-S line. In turn, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed a slight shift in the cellulose band position, which may indicate the formation of more compact cellulose arrangement in Zm-T maize line. In conclusion, this work presents new findings supporting diversified cold-response, not only between two C₄plant species but also within one species of maize.

Evolution of bacteria to selective chemical pressure (e.g. antibiotics) is well studied in contrast to the influence of physical stressors. Here we show that instantaneous physical stress in a homogeneous environment (without concentration gradient) induces fast adaptation of Escherichia coli. We exposed E. coli to a large number of collisions of around 10⁵ per bacterium per second with sharp ZnO nanorods. The pressure exerted on the bacterial cell wall was up to 10 GPa and induced phenotype changes. The bacteria’s shape became more spherical, the density of their periplasm increased by around 15% and the average thickness of the cell wall by 30%. Such E. coli cells appeared almost as Gram-positive bacteria in the standard Gram staining. Additionally, we observed a combination of changes occurring at the genomic level (mutations identified in form of single nucleotide polymorphisms) and down-regulation of expression of 61 genes encoding proteins involved in β-oxidation of fatty acids, glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, as well as uptake of amino acids and enzyme cofactors. Thus, we show that bacteria undergo phenotypic changes upon instantaneous, acute physical stress without any obviously available time for gradual adaptation.

Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in electron microscopy has been widely used in many research areas since it provides precise information on the chemical composition of subcellular structures that may be correlated with their high resolution images. In EDS the characteristic X-rays typical of each element are analyzed and the new detectors - an example of which we describe - allow for setting precisely the area of measurements and acquiring signals as a point analysis, as a linescan or in the image format of the desired area. Mapping of the elements requires stringent methods of sample preparation to prevent redistribution/loss of the elements as well as elimination of the risk of overlapping spectra. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses may be performed at a low probe current suitable for thin biological samples. Descriptions of preparation techniques, drawbacks and precautions necessary to obtain reliable results are provided, including data on standards, effects of specimen roughness and quantification. Data on EPMA application in different fields of biomedical and agricultural studies are reviewed.In this review we refer to recent EDS/EPMA applications in medical diagnostics, studies on air pollution and agrochemicals as well as on plant models used to monitor the environment.