Mechanisms regulating pluripotency and pattern formation in plants 中島敬二先生（Prof. Keiji Nakajima）奈良先端科学技術大学院大学・バイオサイエンス研究科教授 Nara Institute of Science and Technology 1 月 13 日（火）16：30〜18：00 京都大学医学・生命科学総合研究棟（Ｇ棟）２階講義室セミナー室 A（Bldg. G, Rm. A） One of the most fundamental questions in plant developmental biology is how complex plant structures are formed from a single zygotic cell. In Arabidopsis, a highly coordinated patterning process is commenced as early as in the zygotic division and continues throughout the embryogenesis. This highly coordinated embryonic pattern formation requires reprogramming of somatic cells into an embryonic status, but its underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We have recently discovered a key reprogramming factor in Arabidopsis and are currently working on its mechanism of action, aiming to translate basic knowledge on plant reprogramming to application studies such as efficient propagating of useful plant lines/species. We are also working on the post-embryonic patterning process using Arabidopsis roots as a model. Due to the presence of rigid cell walls, plant cells are generally unable to move. Therefore, timing and orientation of cell divisions, as well as acquisition of collect cell fates, are determined by interpreting the positional cues of surrounding cells. Such developmental mechanisms rely on the presence of intimate cell-cell communication pathways. Recent studies of ours and others revealed the presence of novel signaling pathways that allow regulatory molecules such as transcription factors and microRNAs to traffic from cell to cell. We are currently studying how broadly such cell-cell communication pathways are adopted in plant development. Graduate School of Biostudies 連絡先遺伝子特性学分野河内孝之 (内線) 6389 The talk will be given in English for a doctoral course class of “Frontier in Life Sciences”, but general audience is very welcome.