植物细胞长期以来被认为具有极高的全能性或多能性，这种全能性也是植物巨大可重复再生能力和发育可塑性的基础。尽管近年来在植物再生的分子调控方面取得了一定的进展，但迄今为止对于究竟植物细胞的全能性以及再生能力是如何决定的这个根本问题仍不清楚。我们最近在拟南芥中的研究发现，超长链脂肪酸或其衍生物是限制中柱鞘细胞全能性和决定器官再生能力的重要信号，该发现为研究植物细胞全能性决定的信号和分子途径提供了重要的切入点。在此基础上，我们将利用遗传学、基因组学、细胞生物学及生物化学等手段，系统鉴定调控拟南芥中柱鞘类细胞全能性和再生能力的重要信号和因子，开展植物细胞命运决定和全能性控制的分子途径研究，以期揭示不同植物细胞全能性状态和再生能力差异的分子基础，探索其重要因子在提升作物再生能力方面的作用，为阐明植物细胞全能性和再生能力决定的分子机制和提升以植物再生为基础的植物生物技术奠定基础。

Plant somatic cells have long been considered to be highly totipotent or pluripotent, which confers plants with the remarkable regeneration capability and developmental plasticity. Recent studies have begun to reveal the molecular regulations of plant regeneration, however, the signaling and molecular mechasims behind cell pluripotency and regeneration capability in plants are largely unknown. Recently, we identified the very-long-chain fatty acids or derivatives as cell-layer signals to restrict the pericycle pluripotency and regeneration capability in Arabidopsis, which opens a door for exploring the molecular basis behind plant cell pluripotency and regeneration capability. We will use the combination of genetic, genomic, cytological and biochemical approaches, to identify the signaling components and key factors that determine the pericycle or pericycle-like cell pluripotency and thus regeneration capability in Arabidopsis, trying to dissect the molecular basis underlying cell fate determination and remarkable regeneration capability in plants. We will also attempt to explore the potential application of these factors in improving the regeneration of crops. These works will greatly advance our understanding of the remarkable cell pluripotency and regeneration capability in plants and benefit the regeneration-based plant biotechnologies.