Speaker: Adrienne Roeder, Cornell University professor, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and School of Integrative Plant Science, Section of Plant Biology

Title: Plant morphogenesis - Spirals of moss leaves, smooth Arabidopsis sepals, and bio-inspired designs

Abstract: Morphogenesis is the development of shape, which requires the interaction of genetics and mechanics. We use live imaging, computational modeling, and molecular genetics to investigate the mechanisms of morphogenesis in plants. I will tell three plant morphogenesis stories. First, how does the single apical cell meristem of the moss Physcomitrium patens generate a spiral of leaves (phyllids)? The asymmetric division of the tetrahedral apical cell by the default “shortest wall” division rule generates the spiral pattern. Second, how does the sepal grow as a relatively flat surface? If you have stretched a plastic bag, you know how hard it is to keep a rapidly extending sheet flat. We find that growth is coordinated between the adaxial (inner) and abaxial (outer) surfaces of the sepal to maintain smoothness, and when this coordination is disrupted, buckling occurs. Finally, how does the mechanics of plant tissues give rise to shapes, and how can it inspire robust, resilient and adaptive architectural designs? We have been working with architects to better understand how plants build themselves and what humans can learn from them. 

Host: Josh Strable, GDCB assistant professor