Review: Bryophytes as model systems for studying evolutionary cell and developmental biology (Plant Cell)

The development of Arabidopsis as a model system greatly advanced the field of plant cell biology by bringing in molecular approaches, so much of our conceptual foundation rests on studies from angiosperms. More recently, model bryophytes, particularly Marchantia polymorpha (liverworts) and Physcomitrium patens (mosses) have provided additional insights, as discussed in this review by Naramoto et al. The authors focus on polarized elongation, symmetric and asymmetric cell division and polar auxin transport. The direct comparison of these important processes between bryophytes and angiosperms, particularly in regards to their roles in establishing multicellular plant bodies, provides deep insights into the biology of plant cells. (Summary by Mary Williams @PlantTeaching) Plant Cell 10.1093/plcell/koab218