The cells of protein-storing plant tissues, including the aleurone of monocots and the cotyledons of dicots, have been widely used to study biological phenomena. The cells of protein-storing tissues share many characteristics including the presence of protein storage vacuoles (PSV) which act as reservoirs for the proteins, lipids and minerals required for germination. Many proteins synthesized in these tissues during germination are transported to the PSV. As a result, protein-storing tissues have become a model system for the study of protein transport.

Research in our laboratory focuses on the protein-storing barley aleurone layer. The aleurone layer is notoriously difficult to prepare for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Aleurone cells are surrounded by thick cell walls that are difficult to penetrate with fixatives and resins. To increase penetration of chemicals, most of our studies are performed on protoplasts, aleurone cells that have had their walls enzymatically removed. Protoplasts, however, are sensitive to the osmolality of the fixation medium and solutions must be closely monitored during specimen preparation. The development of cells in the aleurone layer adds to the difficulty of preparation for TEM.