Role of tissue mechanics regulating seed growth

A research collaboration between the University of Melbourne and the CNRS in Lyon, France, is studying the role of tissue mechanics in regulating seed growth.

The goals of the project are to:

1. Improve the understanding of the genetic pathways that determine the mechanical properties of the seed coat.
2. Discover the role that genetic pathways play in controlling seed size.

The details

The coordinated growth of tissues in multicellular organisms depends on communication within and between cells. This communication relies on signalling pathways, including pathways that respond to mechanical stimuli.

The genetic networks that are regulated by these mechano-responsive pathways are well characterised in animals. However, they are largely unknown in plants.

This project is part of a larger research program that aims to understand how mechanical forces determine the shape of a plant. The research uses thale cress, Arabidopsis thaliana, as a model system.

This research program is a collaboration between research groups headed by Dr John Golz from the University of Melbourne and Dr Gwyneth Ingram from the CNRS and ENS-Lyon.

Supervision team

The University of Melbourne: Dr John Golz

CNRS: Dr Gwyneth Ingram and Dr Benoit Landrein