A multi-physics approach to probing plant responses: From calcium signaling to thigmonastic motion

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multi-physics platform that enables precise, scalable investigation of plant responses to various stimuli, revealing stimulus-specific calcium signaling, motion, and chemical exchange mechanisms in different plant species.

Contribution

The study presents an innovative, open-source multi-physics platform integrating mechanical, electrostatic, optical, and chemical stimuli for systematic plant response analysis.

Findings

Distinct calcium signaling patterns for mechanical and electrostatic stimuli

Evidence of response fatigue with repeated electrostatic stimulation

Location-dependent thigmonastic responses in Mimosa pudica

Abstract

Plants respond to biotic and abiotic stresses through complex and dynamic mechanisms that integrate physical, chemical, and biological cues. Here, we present a multi-physics platform designed to systematically investigate these responses across scales. The platform combines a six-axis micromanipulator with interchangeable probes to deliver precise mechanical, electrostatic, optical, and chemical stimuli. Using this system, we explore calcium signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana, thigmonastic motion in Mimosa pudica, and chemical exchange via microinjection in Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Ocimum basilicum. Our findings highlight stimulus-specific and spatially dependent responses: mechanical and electrostatic stimuli elicit distinct calcium signaling patterns, while repeated electrostatic stimulation exhibited evidence of response fatigue. Thigmonastic responses in Mimosa pudica depend on the location of perturbation, highlighting the intricate bi-directional calcium signaling. Microinjection experiments successfully demonstrate targeted chemical perturbations in glandular trichomes, opening avenues for biochemical studies. This open-source platform provides a versatile tool for dissecting plant stress responses, bridging the gap between fundamental research and applied technologies in agriculture and bioengineering. By enabling precise, scalable, and reproducible studies of plant-environment interactions, this work offers new insights into the mechanisms underlying plant resilience and adaptability.