Summary
In plants, the outermost epidermal cell layer is critical for protecting the entire plant against external threats such as rain, wind and pathogens. The plant epidermis is a complex tissue consisting of multiple cell types, all with different shapes, functions and developmental trajectories. Although studied in isolation, our understanding of how these cells interact to ensure tissue integrity is poor, but at present, the outermost jigsaw-puzzle-shaped pavement cells have emerged as key players. Recent findings in the host lab suggest that the diverse physical and/or mechanochemical nature of the cell wall is crucial for pavement cell-shape acquisition, and thus under influence of the underlying tissue layers. However, yet the identity of the putative signals derived from inner cell layers, defining the shape of epidermal cells and the integrity of the multilayered leaf tissue, remains to be explored. Hence, in iCON I will join the Robert (host) lab to disentangle the signaling networks and mechanical constraints of inner mesophyll cells that determine epidermal pavement cell shape and organogenesis of the leaf, using a suite of novel and multidisciplinary approaches in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Specifically, I will acquire new skills in cutting-edge microscopy, cell biology and biomechanics to generate a high-resolution 3D map and uncover mechanical/physical cues, and leverage my expertise in transcriptomics, genetics and molecular biology to determine molecular components, together allowing me to decipher the overall mechanism via which mesophyll cells orchestrate pavement cell shape acquisition. Besides contributing new knowledge, iCON will allow me to expand my scientific expertise and gain key transferrable skills, boosting my strive to become a research leader. Ultimately, knowledge on how plants maintain tissue integrity can support the development of stress-resilient plants and thus contribute to a sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101151169 |
| Start date: | 23-06-2025 |
| End date: | 22-06-2027 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 222 727,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
In plants, the outermost epidermal cell layer is critical for protecting the entire plant against external threats such as rain, wind and pathogens. The plant epidermis is a complex tissue consisting of multiple cell types, all with different shapes, functions and developmental trajectories. Although studied in isolation, our understanding of how these cells interact to ensure tissue integrity is poor, but at present, the outermost jigsaw-puzzle-shaped pavement cells have emerged as key players. Recent findings in the host lab suggest that the diverse physical and/or mechanochemical nature of the cell wall is crucial for pavement cell-shape acquisition, and thus under influence of the underlying tissue layers. However, yet the identity of the putative signals derived from inner cell layers, defining the shape of epidermal cells and the integrity of the multilayered leaf tissue, remains to be explored. Hence, in iCON I will join the Robert (host) lab to disentangle the signaling networks and mechanical constraints of inner mesophyll cells that determine epidermal pavement cell shape and organogenesis of the leaf, using a suite of novel and multidisciplinary approaches in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Specifically, I will acquire new skills in cutting-edge microscopy, cell biology and biomechanics to generate a high-resolution 3D map and uncover mechanical/physical cues, and leverage my expertise in transcriptomics, genetics and molecular biology to determine molecular components, together allowing me to decipher the overall mechanism via which mesophyll cells orchestrate pavement cell shape acquisition. Besides contributing new knowledge, iCON will allow me to expand my scientific expertise and gain key transferrable skills, boosting my strive to become a research leader. Ultimately, knowledge on how plants maintain tissue integrity can support the development of stress-resilient plants and thus contribute to a sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01-01Update Date
22-11-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
