U.S.-U.K. Cooperative Research: Pattern Transitions at the Shoot Apex of Plants

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This award for U.S.-U.K. cooperative research will support a long- term visit to the United Kingdom. Dr. Jeanne Selker of the University of Oregon and Dr. Robert Lyndon of the University of Edinburgh will jointly study the transition in patterns of appendage formation in developing plants. They will study two plant systems: (1) Silene transition to flowering; and (2) watercress root-to-shoot conversion. The proposed work will involve observations of the growth of apices during the transition period and experiments aimed at identifying the causal events which either prevent transition or produce no effect whatsoever. Dr. Selker brings to this collaboration expertise in the biophysical characterization of cell patterns in plant apices. This is complemented by Dr. Lyndon's extensive work on the Silene and watercress systems and his innovative experimental approaches to characterizing and manipulating plant developing systems. Plant appendages, such as leaves, petals and stamens, are produced at the shoot apex in a pattern. Researchers do not understand how appendages are produced in a specific pattern or what causes these patterns to change. The proposed research will yield valuable knowledge and correlations about the transition processes and pattern formations.