Poly(A) tail and plant viability

[erynna]

Hi,

 

I have been trying to find away of detecting if knot weed actually dead or just dormant. I have considered detecting for the presence or absence of mRNA (using the poly(A) tail) the idea being that mRNA will only be transcribed if the cells are still alive and functional.

 

What do you think, do you think this is plausible or should I try to come up with something different

 

Thanks,

Erin

[CharonY]

Problem is that certain mRNAs can be quite stable. So just detecting them (especially unspecific detection as in this case) is not necessarily indication of activity. Also, even if the plant as whole is not viable anymore, there may still be cells that are maintaining or even actively transcribing mRNA (at least for a given time). Depending on the sensitivity of the method you intend to use, you may still detect them.