Plants ‘breathe’ through tiny leaf pores called stomata, which balance CO₂ intake for photosynthesis with water vapour loss. Scientists have recognised the fact for hundreds of years.
Now, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign have developed a pioneering tool that allows them to watch this process unfold in real time under carefully controlled conditions.
It is the first time such detailed, direct observations have been made. The research has been published in the journal Plant Physiology in December 2025.
The device, named Stomata In‑Sight, shows how these microscopic openings, often described as the plant’s mouths, manage the exchange of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water vapour. By opening and closing, stomata balance photosynthesis with water conservation, helping plants withstand heat, drought, and other stresses.
This innovation combines a high‑resolution confocal microscope, a precise gas‑exchange system, and machine‑learning software for image analysis. In experiments, small leaf sections are placed inside a palm‑sized chamber where temperature, humidity, light, CO₂, and water levels can be finely adjusted.
The team even recorded video footage capturing the dynamic flow of gases as plants absorb CO₂ and release oxygen and water vapour. Advanced imaging tracked subtle cellular changes as stomata responded to environmental cues such as light, humidity, and temperature, offering new insights into plant adaptation and water regulation.
Andrew Leakey of the Department of Plant Biology and the Institute for Genomic Biology explained to Fox News: “They open the pore in the light and close it in the dark. This allows photosynthesis when conditions are favourable but limits water loss. When plants lack water—due to hot, dry weather or neglect—they dry out and fail to grow properly.”
Developing the system took nearly five years, with the team overcoming challenges such as eliminating vibrations that interfered with ultra‑fine microscopic views. After testing several prototypes, they achieved a stable and reliable design.
Why the breakthrough matters
This breakthrough could transform crop breeding. By understanding the physical and chemical signals that control stomatal behaviour, as well as the role of stomatal density, scientists can identify genetic traits linked to improved water‑use efficiency.
Seeing Plants Breathe
Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in plant biology by developing a way to watch plants
“breathe” in real time.While we have known for centuries that plants exchange gases through microscopic pores called stomata, we have never before been able to… pic.twitter.com/j62H8y6mtk
— Brian Roemmele (@BrianRoemmele) January 15, 2026
Such knowledge is crucial as water scarcity remains one of the biggest constraints on agriculture. Crops designed to optimise water use could help mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures and drought, strengthening resilience.
The University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign has patented the technology. While not yet commercially available, researchers hope it will soon be manufactured for wider scientific use.
