A KAUST Plant Science Research Group Led by Professor Ikram Blilou
A KAUST Plant Science Research
Group Led by Professor Ikram Blilou
Driving discovery in plant science
Driving discovery in plant science
Explore our research themes, groundbreaking publications, and cutting-edge technology advancing plant resilience and adaptation.
Regulatory networks controlling stem cell maintenance in the root meristem
We study mechanisms controlling stem cell specification and maintenance, focusing on the regulatory modules controlling asymmetric cell division in the root meristem
Context
The regulatory module involving the SHOR-TROOT (SHR)- SCARECROW (SCR)- JACKDAW (JKD) proteins has been shown to control asymmetric cell division in the ground tissue as well as the QC identity. JKD forms a ternary complex with SCR and SHR with a cell type-specific conformation that defines diverse cell fates through modulating the activity of their cell type-specific targets WOX5, SCR and CYCLIN D6. The Retinoblastoma Related protein (RBR) has also been described to control meristem maintenance by limiting cell division and quiescence in the stem cell niche. RBR modulates asymmetric stem cell divisions by forming a heterodimer with SCR and SHR. Hence, two ternary complexes are proposed to regulate ACD in the CEI, the RBR-SCR-SHR and JKD-SCR-SHR. We are implementing our optimized in- vivo FRET-FLIM (Förster resonance energy transfer measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy) technology combined with protein-protein interaction assays as well as genetic interactions between all the network components. We aim to unravel how these factors control cell identity in the root meristem.
Technologies implemented
Genetics; Transcriptional assays; Protein-protein interactions, Imaging using the state of art microscopy technologies.
Regulatory networks controlling stem cell maintenance in the root meristem
We study mechanisms controlling stem cell specification and maintenance, focusing on the regulatory modules controlling asymmetric cell division in the root meristem
Context
The regulatory module involving the SHOR-TROOT (SHR)- SCARECROW (SCR)- JACKDAW (JKD) proteins has been shown to control asymmetric cell division in the ground tissue as well as the QC identity. JKD forms a ternary complex with SCR and SHR with a cell type-specific conformation that defines diverse cell fates through modulating the activity of their cell type-specific targets WOX5, SCR and CYCLIN D6. The Retinoblastoma Related protein (RBR) has also been described to control meristem maintenance by limiting cell division and quiescence in the stem cell niche. RBR modulates asymmetric stem cell divisions by forming a heterodimer with SCR and SHR. Hence, two ternary complexes are proposed to regulate ACD in the CEI, the RBR-SCR-SHR and JKD-SCR-SHR. We are implementing our optimized in- vivo FRET-FLIM (Förster resonance energy transfer measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy) technology combined with protein-protein interaction assays as well as genetic interactions between all the network components. We aim to unravel how these factors control cell identity in the root meristem.
Technologies implemented
Genetics; Transcriptional assays; Protein-protein interactions, Imaging using the state of art microscopy technologies.
Regulatory networks controlling stem cell maintenance in the root meristem
We study mechanisms controlling stem cell specification and maintenance, focusing on the regulatory modules controlling asymmetric cell division in the root meristem
Context
The regulatory module involving the SHOR-TROOT (SHR)- SCARECROW (SCR)- JACKDAW (JKD) proteins has been shown to control asymmetric cell division in the ground tissue as well as the QC identity. JKD forms a ternary complex with SCR and SHR with a cell type-specific conformation that defines diverse cell fates through modulating the activity of their cell type-specific targets WOX5, SCR and CYCLIN D6. The Retinoblastoma Related protein (RBR) has also been described to control meristem maintenance by limiting cell division and quiescence in the stem cell niche. RBR modulates asymmetric stem cell divisions by forming a heterodimer with SCR and SHR. Hence, two ternary complexes are proposed to regulate ACD in the CEI, the RBR-SCR-SHR and JKD-SCR-SHR. We are implementing our optimized in- vivo FRET-FLIM (Förster resonance energy transfer measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy) technology combined with protein-protein interaction assays as well as genetic interactions between all the network components. We aim to unravel how these factors control cell identity in the root meristem.
Technologies implemented
Genetics; Transcriptional assays; Protein-protein interactions, Imaging using the state of art microscopy technologies.
Explore our publications
Explore groundbreaking publications that reveal the underpinnings of plant resilience and adaptation
Explore our publications
Explore groundbreaking publications that reveal the underpinnings of plant resilience and adaptation