Science
1) Trichome Patterning:
Trichome cells are formed from initially equivalent cells in a regular pattern. This is governed by a small number of genes that either promote trichome development or inhibit it. In this project part we aim to understand how inter-cellular cross talk can lead to a new pattern. To the left a young leaf with young trichomes is shown.
2) Trichome Morphogenesis:
Trichomes are single cells with branches at predictable sites. The analysis how and where the branches are formed will reveal a basic understanding of how positional information is generated and translated into morphogenetic events. The Picture to the left shows a SEM picture of a mature trichome.
3) Actin Cytoskeleton
Actin plays is crucial to determine which part of a cells can grow. One regulation cascade that is also known in animals is the local activation of the ARP2/3 complex through WAVE and upstream Rho-like GTPases. We aim to understand how this pathway operates to trigger local growth in plant cells. The picture to the right shows the actin cytoskeleton in a Arp2/3 mutant.