Quantitative analysis of the cellular growth patterns shaping the Arabidopsis ovule

器官如何获得其三维结构是生物学中的一个突出问题。植物器官的特点是大小和形式的巨大多样性。强烈弯曲的拟南芥胚珠就是一个突出的例子。胚珠弯曲是在两个珠被（最终发育成种皮的侧片状组织）生长期间发生的细胞和组织水平事件知之甚少的结果。我们以拟南芥珠被为模型系统，研究组织片是如何发育成复杂的三维形状的。在以前的工作中，我们成功地生成了三维数字胚珠模型，细胞分辨率涵盖所有发育阶段。在这个项目中，我们将继续并扩大这些努力。我们将集中讨论胚珠如何弯曲成最终形状的问题。为此，我们将应用遗传学，先进的成像和数学建模的增长。在实验和基于模型的预测之间的迭代方法中，我们将研究珠被生长和胚珠弯曲的细胞机制。这种跨学科的方法不仅将提高我们对胚珠曲率的理解，而且还将有助于了解器官如何将自己塑造成复杂的三维结构。

How an organ attains its three-dimensional architecture represents a salient question in biology. Plant organs are characterized by a huge diversity in sizes and forms. A striking example is provided by the strongly bent Arabidopsis ovule. Ovule curvature is the consequence of poorly understood cellular and tissue-level events that occur during growth of the two integuments, lateral sheet-like tissues that eventually develop into the seed coat. We use Arabidopsis integuments as model system to study how tissue sheets develop into complex three-dimensional shapes. In previous work we succeeded in generating 3D digital ovule models with cellular resolution encompassing all developmental stages. In this project we will build on and extend those efforts. We will focus on the question how the ovule bends itself to its final shape. To this end we will apply genetics, advanced imaging and mathematical modelling of growth. In an iterative approach between experiment and model-based predictions, we will investigate the cellular mechanism underlying integument growth and ovule curvature. This interdisciplinary approach will not only improve our understanding of ovule curvature but will also contribute to the general knowledge of how organs shape themselves into complex three-dimensional structures.