Vascular Pattern Formation in Leaves of Arabidopsis

拟南芥叶片中维管模式的形成这个项目试图了解植物叶片发育过程中维管网络的逐步建立。在叶子的形成过程中，出现了初级、次级和高级叶脉的层次结构。这为其他类型的细胞定位提供了里程碑，这些细胞执行光合作用、气体交换、糖运输和其他与静脉系统有重要关系的功能。特定物种的叶脉模式不是固定的，它可以根据环境的要求进行优化，以在需要时提供更大的光合作用或水分效率。该项目利用遗传学和分子生物学确定了数十个在静脉构型过程中具有潜在作用的基因和基因产物。目前的项目将继续了解这些关键基因产物的作用，其中一些是细胞内或细胞间信号传递的生化途径的成员(例如，甾醇)。这些信号的目标是什么？是什么触发它们在正确的时间和地点形成连续的静脉细胞档案？该项目将识别这些信号的直接触发因素和目标，使用目前已识别的基因产物来寻找未知的基因产物，并引导至其他合作伙伴。其科学影响将是增加对脉序形成的理解，为改变植物对不同环境的适应或植物生长的效率提供潜在的工具。该项目的更广泛影响是，它是研究生和博士后科学家的培训工具，也是PI向本科生和研究生教学的材料来源。该协会积极向非理科本科生教授生物学，他们中的许多人都对科学政策和科学与社会问题感兴趣。

Proposal 0416731Vascular Pattern Formation in Leaves of Arabidopsis This project seeks to understand the progressive building of vein networks during the development of plant leaves. A hierarchy of primary, secondary and higher order veins appears during the formation of a leaf. This provides landmarks that position other types of cells that carry out photosynthesis, gas exchange, sugar transport and other functions with an essential relationship to the vein system. The vein pattern of a particular species is not fixed, and it can be optimized to the requirements of the environment to provide greater photosynthetic or water efficiency when needed. This project has used genetics and molecular biology to identify several dozen genes and gene products with potential roles in the vein patterning process. The current project will follow through on understanding the roles of the products of these key genes, some of which are members of biochemical pathways for signaling within or between cells (e.g., sterols). What are the targets of these signals, and what triggers them at the right time and place to form continuous files of vein cells? The project will identify the immediate triggers and targets for these signals, using the currently identified gene products to find the unknown ones, and to bootstrap along to additional partners. The scientific impact of this will be to increase the understanding of venation formation, providing potential tools for modifying the adaptation of plants to different environments or the efficiency of plant growth. The broader impact of the project is that it serves as a training vehicle for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists, and as a source of materials for the PI's teaching to undergraduate and graduate students. The PI is active in teaching biology to non-science undergraduates, many of whom have an interest in working on science policy and science & society issues.