Role of an ancient genetic program in the elaboration of plant architecture

Plant organs are derived from meristems - organized groups of stem cells found at the tips of shoots and roots. How leaves and other organs grow depends on positional information provided by meristems. The aims of this proposal are (i) to deduce the role of three inter-related gene programs in regulating growth patterns of leaves and other plant organs, and (ii) to investigate the evolutionary origins of meristems in all land plants. The ability to manipulate the size and shape of plant organs has broad implications for horticulture, agriculture and forestry.