Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MAAP (Multidimensional Analysis of Axis Patterning in Plant Embryo)
Período documentado: 2017-08-01 hasta 2019-07-31
The embryo is simple and it consists of a limited numbers of cells providing a good platform to study this problem and understand how differential cell growth mediates PHB/PHV-dependent axes delimitation. However, because the embryo is contained inside the ovule, and it is of small size therefore cannot easily manipulate and study how gene action influences growth. The objective of this project was to establish a 4D time-lapse system of embryogenesis, and to perform cellular-level quantitative analysis of growth, cell division, and gene expression to understand the morphogenesis of embryos. We have optimized the image acquisition and image processing methods and succeeded in preforming 4D time-lapse imaging of embryogenesis for the first time. We have also established other new protocols to observe morphology of embryo in detail and we are now generating a 4D growth map of embryo. Thus, the project has contributed significantly to the field of plant embryology and we have generated a wealth of tools that will be broadly relevant for the field of plant development.
To develop computational models of embryo development we collaborated with Dr. Smith’s group, resulting in a detailed 2D growing model of early embryogenesis as well as 3D pressurized templates of early embryonic developmental stages. These models are used to better understand the interaction between growth, gene expression and cell mechanics.
Taken together, the protocols we developed will provide tools to better understand how combination of orientated cell division, cell growth and cell fate determination drive embryonic patterning and establish axes in different Brassicaceae spices.
The results of this project were presented/discussed by the researcher (1 conference, 2 workshops) and collaborators (1 conference). The researcher published two publications related to the subject/techniques required in this project. Publication from this project itself is currently under preparation.