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This study focuses on the intricate vein patterns formed during leaf development, driven by the hormone auxin. The process begins with the midline formation, followed by loops that connect to existing vascular structures. Our vertex-based model captures the relationship between plant growth, auxin transport, and synthesis, emphasizing auxin's role as a key regulatory hormone. Understanding how auxin influences vein formation can provide insights into plant development and morphology, highlighting the importance of localized auxin synthesis at vein branching points.
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Biologicalmotivation: leafdevelopment • Weareusingareusingleafdevelopment to studytheeffects of growth on patternformation. • Theveins of matureleaves form a reticulatedpattern. • These form in a specificsequence, startingwiththeformation of themidline. Thisisfollowedbytheformation of loopsthatconnect to pre-existingvasculature.
The hormone auxin is a key regulator of plant development • Auxin(IAA) is a hormone that can move from cell to cell and regulate a number of processes in plants. • Since auxin is a weak acid, it can become trapped inside cells (‘acid trapped’). • Thus it requires efflux transporters, such as PINs, to leave the cell. • Auxin can enter cells either though active transport (by AUX1/LAX proteins) or diffusion. • Thus, transport of auxin is highly regulated. AUX1/LAX influx transporters PIN efflux transporters
Local-auxin synthesis • Leaves synthesize auxin. • Sites of synthesis are highly localised and coincide with vein branch points. 3D old leaves 6D old leaf Complete loss of auxin synthesis blocks vein formation.
Vertex-based approach to modelling plant tissue growth • We have developed a vertex based model which can be used to investigate the interplay between growth, auxin transport and synthesis.