A lab protocol: plant cuticle preparation for microscope

The cuticle is the protective outer layer of a leaf. This sturdy layer shows an imprint of underlying epidermal cells and stomata. These cells reflect the conditions in which the plant was growing. This information helps us create more intricate climate models, by reconstructing historic growth conditions.

In this video Astrid Odé, MSc (Utrecht University) explains how to prepare the cuticle of a leaf for microscope analysis.

For more info about the research project: https://research.reading.ac.uk/lemontree/

Thanks to:

Astrid Odé MSc, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University
Dr. Hugo Jan de Boer, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University
Natasja Welters, GeoLab, Utrecht University
Prof. dr. Friederike Wagner-Cremer, Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University

A film by Juul van der Laan
Produced by studio thnkthnk