Cell fate stabilization in Arabidopsis pattern formation

Research output: Thesisinternal PhD, WU

Abstract

Arabidopsis embryo and root structures have a fascinatingly predictable and symmetrical organization. This makes them excellent models to study how plants decide what type of cells to create and how they maintain these identities during development. My research focuses on understanding how plants stabilize these cell identities to form well-organized tissues.In one part of my work, I studied a mutant in plant embryos, called meerling-1, which causes extra embryos to grow from a part of the plant called the suspensor. This happens because a key gene involved in early development, UTP18, doesn’t function properly. By restoring UTP18 in specific parts of the embryo, we were able to prevent the formation of extra embryos, showing how this gene helps stabilize cell identities during development.In another part of my research, I explored how roots maintain their tissue organization. I found that a gene called SCZ helps ensure proper tissue patterns by repressing another gene, LBD12. When this regulation is disrupted, tissues lose their proper identity and organization. Interestingly, these two genes work together in opposite directions—SCZ regulates signaling outward from inner tissues, while LBD12 regulates signaling inward from outer tissues—to maintain clear boundaries between different root layers.This work not only provides new insights into how plants grow and maintain their structure but also opens doors for future research to improve plant resilience and productivity.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Wageningen University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Scheres, Ben, Promotor
  • Heidstra, Renze, Co-promotor
Award date18 Dec 2024
Place of PublicationWageningen
Publisher
Electronic ISBNs9789465103488
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Dec 2024

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