Utrecht, The Netherlands
October 30, 2008
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The
photo on the left shows a normal plant with normal
leaves and a root and the photo on the right shows a
plant on which root has started to grow at the place of
young leaf. The shoot part is shown in orange and the
roots in green. |
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The molecular cell biologist
Pankaj Dhonukshe from Utrecht
University has succeeded in growing roots on plants at
places where normally leaves would grow. This important step in
plant modification can be highly beneficial for improving crop
yields and efficiency in the agricultural sector. This research
was largely carried out in collaboration between Utrecht
University (The Netherlands) and Ghent University (Belgium) with
help from scientists in Japan, USA and Switzerland. The results
of this research appeared as an advance online publication of
the weekly science journal Nature on 26 October 2008.
The plant hormone auxin plays a crucial role in coordination of
stem cells and organ formation in plants. It promotes the
formation of roots from stem cells and coordinates the growth of
leaves and fruits. Auxin is produced mainly in young leaves, or
shoots, and is then transported from one cell to the next
towards the basal region of plant ultimately leading towards
root formation.
Roots above ground
Pankaj Dhonukshe discovered a molecular switch to alter the
auxin transport. By turning on the switch, Dhonukshe was able to
reduce the extent of auxin transport towards the roots. The
hormone then began to accumulate at the places in the young
leaves where it is produced and roots began to emerge here where
normally leaves would grow.
Increased yields
These results are an important step in our understanding of the
way plants grow and create novel future possibilities to modify
the positioning of various plant organs such as roots, fruits
and leaves. This specific manipulation of plant architecture
promises to enhance yield-traits and crop harvesting. Molecular
switches are particularly interesting for influencing plant
forms, because utilization of traditional plant refinement
approaches has certain limitations. The Utrecht research group
is currently examining further interesting possibilities in this
area.
Collaborative Research
Dhonukshe carried out the developmental biology research at
Utrecht University, and the cellular biology research in
cooperation with Ghent University.
Life Sciences and Biocomplexity
Utrecht University has organised its top-level research into
fifteen focus areas, which are intended to promote high-quality
research and contribute to solving major problems in society.
The study described above falls under the category ‘Life
Sciences and Biocomplexity’, in which research is being carried
out into all the processes in the cell from the molecular scale
to the creation of multi-celled organisms and the interaction
among cells. Genomics and proteomics form an important part of
this area. For more information, please visit
www.uu.nl/EN/research/focusareas/. |
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