Stem cells are a group of undifferentiated cells that have the ability to both undergo cell division for self-renewal and differentiation to generate specialized cells. Plants use stem cells as a reservoir to continuously produce new tissues/organs during development and initiate de novo organogenesis in regeneration. Different from animals, plants can produce organs through the life cycle as their stem cells can keep activity for a very long time. For example, stem cells in the shoot apical region of a tree may be well-maintained for thousands of years.
Plant stem cells include many different types. In the shoot and root apical meristems, stem cells reside in a special context, termed stem cell niche, which is the source of signal to block differentiation. Plant stem cells also exist in certain vascular bundles of organs. For example, the procambium cell in a leaf is a type of stem cells that produces xylem and phloem cells. Recent progresses have revealed complex networks involving hormonal pathways, transcription factors and epigenetic factors; and the networks either maintain the undifferentiating state of stem cells or guide them to differentiate into distinct tissues/organs.
The Research Topic “Plant stem cells” aims to provide a platform to explore and discuss the underlying mechanisms and principles by which stem cells in plants control developmental and regenerative processes. We welcome all types of articles that provide insights into but not limited to the following aspects:
- Dynamic regulation of stem cells.
- Differentiation of stem cells into tissues/organs
- Stem cell reprogramming in response to stress
- Plant stem cells and epigenetics
Stem cells are a group of undifferentiated cells that have the ability to both undergo cell division for self-renewal and differentiation to generate specialized cells. Plants use stem cells as a reservoir to continuously produce new tissues/organs during development and initiate de novo organogenesis in regeneration. Different from animals, plants can produce organs through the life cycle as their stem cells can keep activity for a very long time. For example, stem cells in the shoot apical region of a tree may be well-maintained for thousands of years.
Plant stem cells include many different types. In the shoot and root apical meristems, stem cells reside in a special context, termed stem cell niche, which is the source of signal to block differentiation. Plant stem cells also exist in certain vascular bundles of organs. For example, the procambium cell in a leaf is a type of stem cells that produces xylem and phloem cells. Recent progresses have revealed complex networks involving hormonal pathways, transcription factors and epigenetic factors; and the networks either maintain the undifferentiating state of stem cells or guide them to differentiate into distinct tissues/organs.
The Research Topic “Plant stem cells” aims to provide a platform to explore and discuss the underlying mechanisms and principles by which stem cells in plants control developmental and regenerative processes. We welcome all types of articles that provide insights into but not limited to the following aspects:
- Dynamic regulation of stem cells.
- Differentiation of stem cells into tissues/organs
- Stem cell reprogramming in response to stress
- Plant stem cells and epigenetics
