The mechanics of plant morphogenesis

Understanding the mechanism by which patterned gene activity leads to mechanical deformation of cells and tissues to create complex forms is a major challenge for developmental biology. Plants offer advantages for addressing this problem because their cells do not migrate or rearrange during morphogenesis, which simplifies analysis. We synthesize results from experimental analysis and computational modeling to show how mechanical interactions between cellulose fibers translate through wall, cell, and tissue levels to generate complex plant tissue shapes. Genes can modify mechanical properties and stresses at each level, though the values and pattern of stresses differ from one level to the next. The dynamic cellulose network provides elastic resistance to deformation while allowing growth through fiber sliding, which enables morphogenesis while maintaining mechanical strength.

This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the AAAS for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Science 379, 2023-02-03, doi: 10.1126/science.ade8055.

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Work Title The mechanics of plant morphogenesis
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Open Access
Creators
  1. Enrico Coen
  2. Daniel J. Cosgrove
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Science
Publication Date February 3, 2023
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ade8055
Deposited December 12, 2023

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  • Added Creator Enrico Coen
  • Added Creator Daniel J. Cosgrove
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