Quantitative analysis of the cellular growth dynamics during lateral plant growth

器官扩张是多细胞生物发育过程中细胞协调的一个迷人例子。植物茎轴和根轴的侧向生长是由形成层介导的，形成层是一组产生非常坚硬组织的干细胞，它们以双向的方式产生。在这个项目中，我们利用形成层器官生长的解剖学特征，探索周围组织施加的机械力在指导干细胞行为中的作用。基于第一个资助期通过计算模型和改变细胞壁刚性的遗传方法获得的初步数据，我们假设木质部细胞分化产生的机械应力影响了形成层干细胞的分裂方向。在该项目中，一名博士生和一名博士后将通过细胞壁特性和微管调节的定向调节、组织间力的硅模拟和布里渊光谱来验证这一假设。因此，通过牢牢地融入当前的联盟，该项目探索了器官形态发生的基本方面，并有助于发现一般形态动力学原理。

Organ expansion represents a fascinating example of cellular coordination during the development of multicellular organisms. Lateral growth of plant shoot and root axes is mediated by the cambium, a group of stem cells producing very rigid tissues in a bidirectional manner. In this project, we leverage the anatomical features of cambium-based organ growth and probe the role of mechanical forces applied by surrounding tissues in instructing stem cell behavior. Based on preliminary data from the first funding period obtained by computational modelling and genetic approaches altering cell wall rigidity we hypothesize that mechanical stress generated by differentiating xylem cells, influence the division orientation of cambium stem cells. In the project, a PhD student and a postdoc will test this hypothesis by targeted modulations of cell wall properties and of microtubule regulation, in silico modelling of inter-tissue forces and Brillouin spectroscopy. Thereby and by being firmly embedded into the current consortium, the project explores a fundamental aspect of organ morphogenesis and contributes to the discovery of general morphodynamic principles.