Phyclops Project - We Listen To Plants
@phyclopsproject.bsky.social
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Recording electrical signals from a #passiflora using a custom array of #microneedles inserted into the stem just below a leaf. #biology #plants
Here is a much better visualization of #passiflora activity over the course of four days (timestamps not shown, dotted vertical lines are midnight). Red and blue indicate times with significant transport or signalling activity. Upper and lower half correspond to up and down transport.
November 20, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Here is a much better visualization of #passiflora activity over the course of four days (timestamps not shown, dotted vertical lines are midnight). Red and blue indicate times with significant transport or signalling activity. Upper and lower half correspond to up and down transport.
I am experimenting with a new way to visualize #passiflora electrical activity in a 2D map(top), recorded over several days, some of which includes responses to spraying (not in this one though)
November 18, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I am experimenting with a new way to visualize #passiflora electrical activity in a 2D map(top), recorded over several days, some of which includes responses to spraying (not in this one though)
More examples of what the #passiflora response to spraying with water looks like, when the electrical signal is recorded with my device and my microarray electrodes. It's always two channels recording the same event, so here I show four events.
October 19, 2025 at 6:23 AM
More examples of what the #passiflora response to spraying with water looks like, when the electrical signal is recorded with my device and my microarray electrodes. It's always two channels recording the same event, so here I show four events.
Fantastic work. In my case, my microelectrode array sitting on one of the trap lobes would be picking up the voltage spikes generated by the activation of the mechanosensitive channel, visualized as green fluorsecense here. Advantage: you don't have to use a genentically modified plant.
I started to work on MscS-Like proteins 20 years ago, dreaming that they were involved in plant mechanotransduction. And it is becoming more & more clear that they are!
#plantscience 🧪
"DmMSL10 is crucial for mechanosensing, facilitating AP firing by generating a receptor potential (RP) amplitude."
#plantscience 🧪
"DmMSL10 is crucial for mechanosensing, facilitating AP firing by generating a receptor potential (RP) amplitude."
🍀🔬
MSL10 is a high-sensitivity mechanosensor in the tactile sense of the Venus flytrap @natcomms.nature.com from Toyota lab.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
MSL10 is a high-sensitivity mechanosensor in the tactile sense of the Venus flytrap @natcomms.nature.com from Toyota lab.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 7, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Fantastic work. In my case, my microelectrode array sitting on one of the trap lobes would be picking up the voltage spikes generated by the activation of the mechanosensitive channel, visualized as green fluorsecense here. Advantage: you don't have to use a genentically modified plant.
I have repeated this 'spray experiment' more than 15 times. Every time an easily identifiable short term trend/spike appears after the spraying in both channels. So this is likely the electrical component of a system-wide signal saying "Hey, It's raining, lets close stomata")
We know that plants react to rain and specifically to any spray of water droplets. This reaction has been reliably measured (gene expression changes). My electrophy. electrodes also pick up a reaction when I spray the passiflora with water (electrodes shielded so it's a true plant Ca2+/ROS signal).
October 5, 2025 at 6:36 AM
I have repeated this 'spray experiment' more than 15 times. Every time an easily identifiable short term trend/spike appears after the spraying in both channels. So this is likely the electrical component of a system-wide signal saying "Hey, It's raining, lets close stomata")
We know that plants react to rain and specifically to any spray of water droplets. This reaction has been reliably measured (gene expression changes). My electrophy. electrodes also pick up a reaction when I spray the passiflora with water (electrodes shielded so it's a true plant Ca2+/ROS signal).
October 5, 2025 at 6:29 AM
We know that plants react to rain and specifically to any spray of water droplets. This reaction has been reliably measured (gene expression changes). My electrophy. electrodes also pick up a reaction when I spray the passiflora with water (electrodes shielded so it's a true plant Ca2+/ROS signal).
2D histogram of stable, speed and direction estimates for #Avocado, from two different devices on the same plant. Black lines&circles indicate stable values across both devices (good). Ideally this flip-flop should show as little change as possible. Dark areas on the left appear most stable.
September 12, 2025 at 9:18 AM
2D histogram of stable, speed and direction estimates for #Avocado, from two different devices on the same plant. Black lines&circles indicate stable values across both devices (good). Ideally this flip-flop should show as little change as possible. Dark areas on the left appear most stable.
I forgot that there is a fourth factor that will contribute to my measurements: Propagating Ca2+/ROS waves.
So now we have:
Xylem ion fluxes (up), i.e. K+
Phloem ion fluxes (down), i.e. K+
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
Ca2+/ROS signals in phloem bundles (up or down)
So now we have:
Xylem ion fluxes (up), i.e. K+
Phloem ion fluxes (down), i.e. K+
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
Ca2+/ROS signals in phloem bundles (up or down)
What I am measuring in both #passiflora and #avocado is a combination of three things:
Phloem ion fluxes (down)
Xylem ion fluxes (up)
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
and I hope these can be separated from each other by using their specific velocity ranges.
#biology
Phloem ion fluxes (down)
Xylem ion fluxes (up)
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
and I hope these can be separated from each other by using their specific velocity ranges.
#biology
September 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I forgot that there is a fourth factor that will contribute to my measurements: Propagating Ca2+/ROS waves.
So now we have:
Xylem ion fluxes (up), i.e. K+
Phloem ion fluxes (down), i.e. K+
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
Ca2+/ROS signals in phloem bundles (up or down)
So now we have:
Xylem ion fluxes (up), i.e. K+
Phloem ion fluxes (down), i.e. K+
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
Ca2+/ROS signals in phloem bundles (up or down)
United we stand: Plants that physically touch each other are more resilient to stress #plantscience #biology #plants
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
United we stand: Plants that physically touch each other are more resilient to stress
Plants use sophisticated signaling networks to communicate with each other. This process is thought to support the overall health and resilience of plant communities, but could also reflect eavesdropp...
www.biorxiv.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:35 PM
United we stand: Plants that physically touch each other are more resilient to stress #plantscience #biology #plants
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
At what speed(s) do #ions and electrical signals travel through a #plant stem, in this case #avocado?
I measured this with the device pictured in the previous post. Here I show a histogram (4 days of data). Horizontal axis mm/sec, (-) down, (+) up direction. Notice that speeds cluster! Nice.
I measured this with the device pictured in the previous post. Here I show a histogram (4 days of data). Horizontal axis mm/sec, (-) down, (+) up direction. Notice that speeds cluster! Nice.
September 5, 2025 at 7:27 AM
What am I using to make these high precision voltage recordings on #plants ? An electrochemistry workstation worth 25.000 EUR?
No, I use a custom designed and manufactured battery driven device that I call "Phyclops One". You can buy it for about 60 EUR.
phyclops.com/devices/2025...
No, I use a custom designed and manufactured battery driven device that I call "Phyclops One". You can buy it for about 60 EUR.
phyclops.com/devices/2025...
September 3, 2025 at 6:30 AM
What am I using to make these high precision voltage recordings on #plants ? An electrochemistry workstation worth 25.000 EUR?
No, I use a custom designed and manufactured battery driven device that I call "Phyclops One". You can buy it for about 60 EUR.
phyclops.com/devices/2025...
No, I use a custom designed and manufactured battery driven device that I call "Phyclops One". You can buy it for about 60 EUR.
phyclops.com/devices/2025...
Comparing two (ion flow) Speed and Direction (mm/sec) profiles for #avocado for two consecutive sessions, while strong shoot growth is observable.
We see a substantial increase in transport/signalling activit in the 2nd session. Possible explanations: +sunlight and + leaf area.
We see a substantial increase in transport/signalling activit in the 2nd session. Possible explanations: +sunlight and + leaf area.
September 1, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Comparing two (ion flow) Speed and Direction (mm/sec) profiles for #avocado for two consecutive sessions, while strong shoot growth is observable.
We see a substantial increase in transport/signalling activit in the 2nd session. Possible explanations: +sunlight and + leaf area.
We see a substantial increase in transport/signalling activit in the 2nd session. Possible explanations: +sunlight and + leaf area.
My #avocado, launching a massive burst of shoot growth.
Right, so now
I just have to understand
what is going on here.
(whistles, looks up, then down and grins, then decides to open a bottle of beer instead)
#biology #plantscience #plants
Right, so now
I just have to understand
what is going on here.
(whistles, looks up, then down and grins, then decides to open a bottle of beer instead)
#biology #plantscience #plants
August 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
My #avocado, launching a massive burst of shoot growth.
Right, so now
I just have to understand
what is going on here.
(whistles, looks up, then down and grins, then decides to open a bottle of beer instead)
#biology #plantscience #plants
Right, so now
I just have to understand
what is going on here.
(whistles, looks up, then down and grins, then decides to open a bottle of beer instead)
#biology #plantscience #plants
Speed and direction estimates in #avocado after doing even more refining. Notice that yellow (down transport, phloem) appears to follow periods of blue (up transport, xylem). Makes sense.Red and black are speeds so high that they likely indicate electrical signalling. #biology #plants #plantscience
August 27, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Speed and direction estimates in #avocado after doing even more refining. Notice that yellow (down transport, phloem) appears to follow periods of blue (up transport, xylem). Makes sense.Red and black are speeds so high that they likely indicate electrical signalling. #biology #plants #plantscience
I am refining my speed and direction estimates for electrical signals + ion flow in #avocado. Top and bottom graphs show raw voltage readings in mV. Middle shows speed estimates in mm/sec; blue: up transport, yellow: down transport. If |speed| > 3 mm/sec it is prob. an electric signaling event.
August 25, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I am refining my speed and direction estimates for electrical signals + ion flow in #avocado. Top and bottom graphs show raw voltage readings in mV. Middle shows speed estimates in mm/sec; blue: up transport, yellow: down transport. If |speed| > 3 mm/sec it is prob. an electric signaling event.
The array of #microneedles I use for measurements penetrates the #passiflora stem into the xylem and phloem of a single (vertical) bundle. This is important because individual bundles, even if next to each other, can differ dramatically in their behaviour. (Image from bio.libretexts.org )
August 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The array of #microneedles I use for measurements penetrates the #passiflora stem into the xylem and phloem of a single (vertical) bundle. This is important because individual bundles, even if next to each other, can differ dramatically in their behaviour. (Image from bio.libretexts.org )
Ion flow, speed and direction estimates on #passiflora for different timescales. Vertical axis mm/sec, + up, - down. Horizontal axis time. Speeds > -0.2 indicate phloem(down) flow, but why would they be happening at night? Speed < -0.4 might be a fast electrical signal conducted through phloem.
August 21, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Ion flow, speed and direction estimates on #passiflora for different timescales. Vertical axis mm/sec, + up, - down. Horizontal axis time. Speeds > -0.2 indicate phloem(down) flow, but why would they be happening at night? Speed < -0.4 might be a fast electrical signal conducted through phloem.
In the top left and right plots we see two cross-correlation peaks. They coincide with direct, late afternoon sunlight. Since the correlation maxima are located in the upper plane (up transport) they likely correspond to xylem ion flow at around 0.1 mm/sec, estimated from the lag. #passiflora
August 19, 2025 at 9:04 AM
In the top left and right plots we see two cross-correlation peaks. They coincide with direct, late afternoon sunlight. Since the correlation maxima are located in the upper plane (up transport) they likely correspond to xylem ion flow at around 0.1 mm/sec, estimated from the lag. #passiflora
What I am measuring in both #passiflora and #avocado is a combination of three things:
Phloem ion fluxes (down)
Xylem ion fluxes (up)
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
and I hope these can be separated from each other by using their specific velocity ranges.
#biology
Phloem ion fluxes (down)
Xylem ion fluxes (up)
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
and I hope these can be separated from each other by using their specific velocity ranges.
#biology
August 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
What I am measuring in both #passiflora and #avocado is a combination of three things:
Phloem ion fluxes (down)
Xylem ion fluxes (up)
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
and I hope these can be separated from each other by using their specific velocity ranges.
#biology
Phloem ion fluxes (down)
Xylem ion fluxes (up)
Electrical signals conducted by phloem bundles (up or down)
and I hope these can be separated from each other by using their specific velocity ranges.
#biology
Estimating the direction and speed of ion flow in phloem bundles and of electrical signals in an #avocado stem using two different time resolutions. Pink squares are times when estimates are significant and stable. Positive values up, negative downward direction #biology #plants
August 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Following an external stimulus a #plant electrical signal was recorded on the stem of #passiflora. The delay between signals is much smaller than on previous occasions, which indicates a higher signal speed. Normal variation or is it 'learning' to react faster? #biology
August 13, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Following an external stimulus a #plant electrical signal was recorded on the stem of #passiflora. The delay between signals is much smaller than on previous occasions, which indicates a higher signal speed. Normal variation or is it 'learning' to react faster? #biology
A #plant electrical signal recorded with microneedles at two different locations on the stem of #passiflora. We can clearly see the delayed onset of the signal, which first appears in the top, then in the bottom channel. The time offset of 50 sec suggests a signal speed of 0.4 mm/sec #biology
August 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
A #plant electrical signal recorded with microneedles at two different locations on the stem of #passiflora. We can clearly see the delayed onset of the signal, which first appears in the top, then in the bottom channel. The time offset of 50 sec suggests a signal speed of 0.4 mm/sec #biology
Signal analysis of #passiflora electrical signals recorded over a period of two days. #biology #plants
August 10, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Signal analysis of #passiflora electrical signals recorded over a period of two days. #biology #plants