The new study, published in the journal Science, saw researchers from University of Helsinki, Durham University and Utrecht University collaborate to identify the key components required to control the balance of stem cells in plants. The research team pooled their research expertise to identify how the key stem cell proteins came together to control wood formation.
Through a combination of laboratory testing and computational modelling, the research team analysed Arabidopsis, which is a small weed and a commonly used model organism for fundamental plant research, to find a formula for understanding stem cell growth in plants. In some trees, such as in giant sequoia, these stem cells can exist for hundreds or even thousands of years.
“Our research includes three important discoveries. Firstly, we identified the factors essential for stem cells; secondly, what regulates the stem cell factors; and thirdly, a mathematical model to better our understanding of how both the stem cell factors, and their regulators work together to ensure the continuation of growth throughout a plant’s life,” says Professor Ari Pekka Mähönen from the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki.
“As we expected, we found that the stem cells are fundamental for wood formation. It was unexpected though how intimately, in return, the differentiating woody tissue regulate the maintenance of the stem cells,” he continues.
The importance of plants and trees
Trees and wood represent a globally important carbon sink and a versatile biomaterial.
In addition to answering the fundamental question of where terrestrial biomass comes from, better understanding of the system of stem cells may be helpful in contributing to forest productivity and carbon capture by rationally breeding trees to become better carbon sinks. Thus, this research could lead to improvements in forestry and tree genetics in the future.
Dr Peter Etchells from Durham University says: “Trees are among the largest organisms on earth. Most terrestrial biomass is present in the wood of forest trees, and like many tissues in biological systems the cells that constitute it are derived from stem cells. The stem cell factors in wood-forming tissue were not known and through our collaboration we’ve been able to better understand how they are regulated and, therefore, how an important part of the living world functions.”
Original article
Identification of cambium stem cell factors and their positioning mechanism