[webex] Thorsten Hamann: Plant cell wall mechanics at the intersection of development and drought resistance

Abstract

Plant Cell Wall Mechanics at the Intersection of Development and Drought Resistance

Luis Alonso-Baez A, Michaela Ticha A, Francesco Saffioti A, Sara Morghen A, Astrid Bjørkøy B, Bjørn Torger-Stokke B, and Thorsten Hamann A

A Institute for Biology, Norwegian University of Natural Sciences and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, Trondheim, 7491
B Institute for Physics, Norwegian University of Natural Sciences and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, Trondheim, 7491

Corresponding author: Thorsten Hamann (Thorsten.hamann@ntnu.no)
Website: www.hydrosensing.eu

Plant cell walls surround all plant cells and, together with the plasma membrane, form the interface between plants and their environment. Extensive research has provided profound knowledge regarding the perception of chemical stimuli and adaptive changes in plant metabolism, which underlie plant adaptation to a changing environment.

In contrast, knowledge regarding in vivo changes in the physical characteristics of plant cells and tissues during development and environmental adaptation remains limited. One key reason for this gap is the lack of technologies enabling such studies.

To address this, we have developed a Brillouin microscope, which allows for the label-free, in vivo study of mechanical characteristics with sub-cellular resolution and within sub-epidermal cell layers. We are utilizing this technology to investigate changes in viscosity and stiffness in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana during development and in response to hyperosmotic stress.

In this presentation, I will provide an overview of our current knowledge and share insights into our application of this technology within an ERC Synergy project aimed at understanding water perception in plants.