How do nectaries form in Arabidopsis flowers?

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Understanding how multi-cellular organisms generate their shapes is one of the most important questions in developmental biology. The genetic basis of organogenesis is intensively studied in plants. However, we just start to understand how genetic instructions are translated into biological forms. Uncovering how genes control organ geometries requires precise measurement of cellular behaviors over time in living organisms. Recently, we have uncovered cellular dynamics of growth in stamens, male reproductive floral organs. Here we propose to establish a collaboration with Dr. Lachezar Nikolov from UCLA to explore the developmental dynamics of nectaries, tiny floral organs located at the base of the flower that produces nectar for pollinator attraction. We aim to develop the confocal time-lapse imaging procedure to observe the initiation and growth of the nectaries in a model species Arabidopsis thaliana. Using WT and mutant plants we want to understand the cellular processes that are required for the proper outgrowth of those structures. We also aim to link observed developmental patterns with key molecular regulators known to be involved in nectaries' establishment. This project will not only pave the way toward the understanding of the development of those hidden floral structures but also provide the essential ground for future improvements of economically important crops, especially on how to produce flowers more attractive for pollinators.