Recent Posts

Predicting Gene Regulatory Networks

Zhou et al. develop and test potential gene regulatory networks in maize. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.20.00080 By Peng Zhou and Nathan Springer Background: Transcription factors (TFs) play critical roles in regulating the expression of genes. A single TF can control the expression of…

Family dynamics within the seed: Identification of new cell types in maize endosperm

Doll et al. examine the structure of maize seeds and identify a distinct cell type in the endosperm next to the embryo.  https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00756 Nicolas M. Doll, Peter M. Rogowsky and Thomas Widiez Laboratoire Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UCB…

Roots Calling Leaves: Oxylipins in Induced Systemic Resistance

Wang et al. identify signals related to induced systemic resistance produced by a root-colonizing fungus. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00487 Background: Trichoderma virens is an agriculturally-relevant root-colonizing fungus that provides its plant hosts many benefits, such as increased…

High-temporal-resolution Transcriptome Landscape of Early Maize Seed Development

https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00961  Yi et al. describe a high-temporal-resolution transcriptome landscape of early maize seed development.  By Fei Yi, Wei Gu, and Jinsheng Lai, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and National Maize Improvement Center, Department of Plant Genetics and…

Metabolite to Gene: A High-Resolution Resource for Maize

Zhou et al. provide a resource for structural and functional assignment of the many unknown maize metabolites. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00772 Background: Plants defend themselves against herbivores and pathogens by producing a myriad of specialized metabolites. This physiological…

The xerobranching response represses lateral root formation when roots are not in contact with water (Curr. Biol. - $)

Roots navigate through the soil, foraging for water and nutrients. Orman-Ligeza et al. observed that lateral root development is repressed when the roots are growing through the soil air spaces. Exposure to water deficit induced transcriptome reprogramming in barley roots of genes involved in many hormone…