Root Development in Medicago truncatula: Lessons from Genetics to Functional Genomics.

This decade introduced "omics" approaches, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in association with reverse and forward genetic approaches, developed earlier, to try to identify molecular pathways involved in the development or in the response to environmental conditions as well as in animals and plants. This review summarizes studies that utilized "omics" strategies to unravel the root development in the model legume Medicago truncatula and how external factors such as soil mineral status or the presence of bacteria and fungi affect root system architecture in this species. We also compare these "omics" data to the knowledges concerning the Arabidopsis thaliana root development, nowadays considered as the model of allorhiz root systems.

Functional PTB phosphate transporters are present in streptophyte algae and early diverging land plants.

Two inorganic phosphate (Pi) uptake mechanisms operate in streptophytes and chlorophytes, the two lineages of green plants. PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER B (PTB) proteins are hypothesized to be the Na /Pi symporters catalysing Pi uptake in chlorophytes, whereas PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 1 (PHT1) proteins are the H /Pi symporters that carry out Pi uptake in angiosperms. PHT1 proteins are present in all streptophyte lineages.

The Mechanism Forming the Cell Surface of Tip-Growing Rooting Cells Is Conserved among Land Plants.

To discover mechanisms that controlled the growth of the rooting system in the earliest land plants, we identified genes that control the development of rhizoids in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. 336,000 T-DNA transformed lines were screened for mutants with defects in rhizoid growth, and a de novo genome assembly was generated to identify the mutant genes. We report the identification of 33 genes required for rhizoid growth, of which 6 had not previously been functionally characterized in green plants.

Identification of reference genes for real-time quantitative PCR experiments in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has become widely used as a method to compare gene transcript levels across different conditions. However, selection of suitable reference genes to normalize qPCR data is required for accurate transcript level analysis. Recently, Marchantia polymorpha has been adopted as a model for the study of liverwort development and land plant evolution.

Strigolactones inhibit caulonema elongation and cell division in the moss Physcomitrella patens.

In vascular plants, strigolactones (SLs) are known for their hormonal role and for their role as signal molecules in the rhizosphere. SLs are also produced by the moss Physcomitrella patens, in which they act as signaling factors for controlling filament extension and possibly interaction with neighboring individuals. To gain a better understanding of SL action at the cellular level, we investigated the effect of exogenously added molecules (SLs or analogs) in moss growth media.

Strigolactones regulate protonema branching and act as a quorum sensing-like signal in the moss Physcomitrella patens.

Strigolactones are a novel class of plant hormones controlling shoot branching in seed plants. They also signal host root proximity during symbiotic and parasitic interactions. To gain a better understanding of the origin of strigolactone functions, we characterised a moss mutant strongly affected in strigolactone biosynthesis following deletion of the CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 8 (CCD8) gene.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) on corneal impression cytology specimens (CICS): study of epithelial cell survival after keratoplasty.

Purpose: To assess corneal epithelial cell survival after keratoplasty.

Methods: Corneal impression cytology (CIC) was performed on sex-mismatched corneal transplants. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with sex chromosome-specific probes was performed to identify epithelial cell mosaicism and therefore allocate the donor or recipient origin of the cells.

Femtosecond laser-assisted decagonal penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To assess the use of a new polygonal trephination pattern for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) assisted by femtosecond laser.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical study.

Methods: Sixteen eyes underwent decagonal PK.

Correction of postkeratoplasty astigmatism by femtosecond laser compared with mechanized astigmatic keratotomy.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of arcuate keratotomy (AK) performed with a femtosecond laser (FSL) or Hanna keratome (Moria, Anthony, France) for correction of postkeratoplasty astigmatism.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Methods: This clinical study included 20 eyes.

Short-term results of penetrating keratoplasty performed with the Femtec femtosecond laser.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of the Femtec femtosecond (fs) laser for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in the treatment of corneal diseases.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical study.

Methods: Nine eyes of nine patients underwent surgery for PK.