A Molecular Framework for Arabidopsis Somatic Embryogenesis

Here we propose to identify the factors that define competence for somatic embryo induction by comparing two closely related arabidopsis explants, IZEs and MZEs. We will use a combination of cell-, molecular- and chemical biology approaches to identify the key chromatin modifications and their downstream signalling cascades that control tissue competence for SE in these two systems. Comparison of the results obtained in these two systems will provide a broader framework for understanding mechanism underlying different forms of in vitro embryo induction.