Autofluorescence as a Signal to Sort Developing Glandular Trichomes by Flow Cytometry

The study described a method for isolating young and mature type VI glandular trichomes from the wild tomato species Solanum habrochaites using autofluorescence signals for cell sorting by flow cytometry. This technique allowed for the recovery of pure fractions of trichomes, which could then be used for transcript and metabolite analyses. The method's reliance on distinct autofluorescence signals suggested its potential applicability for isolating specific cell types in various plant tissues without the need for prior labeling.