Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.1007/978-1-0716-5308-1_3
Title (Primary) Analyzing pollen with Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry (MIFC)
Title (Secondary) Pollen and Pollen Tube Analysis
Author Hornick, T. ORCID logo ; Walther, F. ORCID logo ; Dunker, S. ORCID logo
Publisher Cai, G.; Piccini, C.; Conti, V.; Parri, S.
Source Titel Methods in Molecular Biology
Year 2026
Department iDiv; PHYDIV
Page From 35
Page To 45
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords Pollen fluorescence; Pollen morphology; Multispectral imaging flow cytometry; Pollen phenotyping; Machine learning
Abstract

Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry (MIFC) using the Imagestream X MkII instrument was currently introduced for pollen analysis of recent and fossil pollen. The method allows processing up to 2000 objects/s by simultaneously taking up to 12 microscopic images per object. Based on the images, multispectral patterns, scatter information, and morphological parameters of the pollen can be easily and accurately accessed in high throughput. This enables a powerful way of upscaling pollen analysis and pollen phenotyping to sample amounts, rarely feasible to be processed by classical microscopy, while at the same time providing accurate pollen trait measurements based on hundreds to thousands of processed pollen images. In addition, pollen images can be used for automated pollen identification via machine learning techniques such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs).

Hornick, T., Walther, F., Dunker, S. (2026):
Analyzing pollen with Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry (MIFC)
In: Cai, G., Piccini, C., Conti, V., Parri, S. (eds.)
Pollen and Pollen Tube Analysis
Methods in Molecular Biology
Springer Nature, p. 35 - 45
10.1007/978-1-0716-5308-1_3