The maize preligule band is subdivided into distinct domains with contrasting cellular properties prior to ligule outgrowth.

The maize ligule is an epidermis-derived structure that arises from the preligule band (PLB) at a boundary between the blade and sheath. A hinge-like auricle also develops immediately distal to the ligule and contributes to blade angle. Here, we characterize the stages of PLB and early ligule development in terms of topography, cell area, division orientation, cell wall rigidity and auxin response dynamics.

Evidence for Brassinosteroid-Mediated PAT During Germination of (Orchidaceae).

Polar auxin transport (PAT) is facilitated by polar localization of PIN-FORMED (PIN) efflux carriers, which direct auxin flow and regulate developmental events. Brassinosteroids (BRs) and auxin work synergistically to promote growth, and in root geotropisms this cross-talk involves BR-directed polarization of PIN through the mobilization of F-actin. However, the role of BR in PAT during shoot growth, hair formation, and embryogenesis has not been well studied.

Predicting Division Planes of Three-Dimensional Cells by Soap-Film Minimization.

One key aspect of cell division in multicellular organisms is the orientation of the division plane. Proper division plane establishment contributes to normal plant body organization. To determine the importance of cell geometry in division plane orientation, we designed a three-dimensional probabilistic mathematical model to directly test the century-old hypothesis that cell divisions mimic soap-film minima.