Fleming Lab

Growth is a fundamental property of living organisms, yet our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of growth remains remarkably limited. We are using plants as a developmental system to investigate how differential growth occurs to generate form, both at the cellular (stomata) and whole organ level (leaf). We take an integrative approach, combining molecular biology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, computational modelling, advanced imaging and high-resolution mechanical analyses.

Interests

• Leaf form and function

• Guard cell wall mechanics

• Meristem function

Research projects

Following exit from the shoot apical meristem, cells differentiate to form the specialised tissues of the leaf. We are interested in the fundamental question of how the cellular architecture of the leaf develops, in particular mesophyll cell size, shape and separation. How does this influence basic processes of photosynthesis and water-use? How do these processes feedback onto the processes of leaf differentiation?

We are particularly interested in the function of stomata and the role that wall differentiation and mechanics play in setting the limits and dynamics of pore opening and closure, and how this integrates into whole leaf development.

Finally, the initial transition from meristem to leaf primordium involves major shifts in biochemistry. We are interested in understanding these shifts (when and where they occur) and to what extent stem cell transitions may themselves be characterised by a distinct biochemistry.

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