750 / 2019-05-15 17:46:31

How many stem cells can you fit in a plant shoot?

Shoot Apical Meristem; Computational Morphodynamics; Stem Cells; Mechanics

Growth and Development > Growth and Development

Plant shoot and flower growth is dependent on the continued supply of new cells from the inflorescence meristem. Stem cells need to be retained and differentiation needs to be coordinated with cellular growth and division. We use a Computational Morphodynamics approach, where live imaging, advanced image processing and computational models are combined to understand how gene regulation, hormone signalling and mechanical factors are integrated to regulate this dynamical system. In my talk I will discuss aspect of how the gene regulatory network interacts with the hormonal signalling for precise organ initiation and how environmental factors influence the stem cell niche in the shoot.