Plant Development
The plant phloem is part of the vascular tissue and consists of several highly specialized cell types. Within phloem cells, carbohydrates are being transported from sites of photosynthesis (mainly leaves) to tissues that are dependent on carbohydrate import (roots, seeds, developing organs). In every newly forming organ new phloem cells have to develop and to be connected to the already existing phloem network within a plant.
In spite of its important function in carbohydrate allocation, relatively little is known about the factors that control phloem development. We will contribute to a better understanding of phloem development and function using two complementary approaches: First, we are developing and using state of the art microscopic techniques to obtain a better characterization of phloem cell development. Second, we are currently studying the regulation and function of some genetic factors that are essential for proper phloem development.
► Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ch/citations?hl=de&user=7l6YL0cAAAAJ
Dr. Elisabeth Truernit
ETH Zurich
Institute of Molecular Plant Biology
8092 Zurich
Tel: +41 (0)44 632 96 85