Project description
Understanding morphological changes in the shoot apical meristem during flowering
In flowering plants, the shoot apical meristem (SAM) is instrumental in floral transition, a process in which the SAM changes from generating leaves to initiating flowers. Accompanying this functional change is a morphological one: the SAM changes from a small, flat shape to a dome-shaped structure. The underlying mechanisms are not clear. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SAMap project aims to shed light on them. Studies using confocal imaging and reporter gene expression will inform a SAM model to investigate the roles of morphological changes and certain genes in the doming process.
Objective
The life cycle of flowering plants includes a major developmental change known as floral transition, which occurs in response to endogenous signals or environmental variables [1]. During this transition, the shoot apical meristem (SAM), which contains a stem-cell niche, transitions from a vegetative meristem that generates leaves to an inflorescence meristem that initiates flowers. This identity change is accompanied by substantial morphological alterations, which transform the SAM from a small, flat structure to a larger, domed one [2]. Increasing SAM size at floral transition is proposed to allow more properly spaced flowers to be formed in the inflorescence, but the mechanisms underlying SAM doming remain poorly understood.
I hypothesize that SAM doming results from an extensive internal reorganization. To test this, I will characterize SAM morphology at the tissue and single-cell levels from confocal images of the SAM throughout floral transition. This analysis will provide a time-resolved morphological characterization of the internal organization. This will be complemented by an examination of reporter gene expression domains within the meristem. The studied genes will include WUSCHEL and CLAVATA3, which maintain the stem-cell niche, and genes related to floral transition such as APETALA2, which contributes to doming. Subsequently, I will develop a multicellular model of the SAM during floral transition and of the expression domains of those genes and investigate their relationship with tissue organization and the doming process.
This study will provide an unprecedented quantitative characterization of the internal organization of the SAM and will elucidate how tissue internal reorganization affects morphogenesis.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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