2022 Sinica Open House Activity

Session 3 10/28(Fri), 13:30-14:30/Lecture to be presented in English/Target Audience: Adult
Subject: Stem cell biology in plant roots
Speaker: Dr. Masashi Yamada
Meeting Number: 2519 283 5376  Meeting Password: bcst1028

In plant development,meristems are continuously producing new organs and tissues depending on the environmental signals over their entire lifespans. Therefore, it is essential to research how meristems regulate plant development response to environmental signals to understand plant development and to improve crop yields under stress conditions. Stem cell niche and root meristem size are maintained by intercellular interactions and signaling networks of a peptide hormone named Root Meristem Growth Factor 1 (RGF1). Determining how RGF1 regulates root meristem development is essential for a proper understanding of stem cell function. Recently, I reported that RGF1 controls root development by modulating Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) distributions along Arabidopsis root developmental zones. The ROS alteration by RGF1 resulted in the broader localization of the root meristem master regulator protein (PLT2). Finally, accumulated PLT2 protein formed the larger meristem.
Stem cells are very important tissues in plants. However, stem cells are sensitive to environmental stresses. Usually, the plants with larger meristems are more resistant to stresses. To improve crop yields, we will apply these technologies to crops.