Dr. Anthony Bishopp from the University of Nottingham visited Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IHB) on Oct. 26, 2016.

Dr. Anthony Bishopp from the University of Nottingham visited Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IHB) on Oct. 26, 2016. During his visit, he gave a presentation on the "Experimental and theoretical approaches to understanding how auxin and cytokinin interact to control root vascular patterning" to IHB scientists and students. 

A central question in developmental biology is how multicellular organisms are a patterned, so that a seemingly homogenous initial population of cells can give rise to the complex patterns of differentiated cells observed. Dr. Anthony’s group used the patterning of root vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) as a model for pattern formation in plants. The xylem and phloem form a vital transport network and it is essential that these cells differentiate in the correct position to form a single continuous network connecting organs.       

They found that this process is controlled by the asymmetric distribution of the hormones auxin and cytokinin and the mutually inhibitory interaction between them. High auxin response in the central axis promotes xylem formation, whereas high cytokinin response flanking this promotes procambium/phloem cell identity. The two pathways interact via the auxin induced cytokinin signalling inhibitor AHP6, and via cytokinin-mediated control of PIN expression/localization.  

In his presentation, both experimental and theoretical approaches were taken to understand how these two hormones interact to determine pattern in both Arabidopsis and rice roots. After the presentation, scientists and students communicated with Dr. Anthony regarding the patterning of root vascular tissues.