The symmetrical arrangements of leaves and flowers have long fascinated artists and mathematicians alike for hundreds of years. Using live-imaging, molecular biology and genetics, this project will dissect the cell-cell signalling that enables the creation of these amazing patterns.
Associate Professor Marcus Heisler.
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
PHD
The symmetrical arrangements of leaves and flowers have long fascinated artists and mathematicians alike for hundreds of years. These arrangements are controlled by the distribution of a plant hormone called auxin, which, at high concentrations, triggers the formation of new leaves and flowers. Auxin becomes concentrated at specific locations in plant tissues due to individual cells transporting auxin in a directional manner. How do plant cells know which way to transport auxin so as to create the amazing patterns of leaves and flowers we see?
This project will investigate the signals through which plant cells talk to each in order to coordinate their auxin transport directions. By using confocal imaging and molecular techniques that enable fine-scale genetic perturbations down to the single cell level this project aims to understand how developmental patterns are created from individual cell-cell interactions.
In addition to the academic requirements set out in the Science Postgraduate Handbook, you may be required to satisfy a number of inherent requirements to complete this degree. Example of inherent requirement may include:
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 2371