Dimensional Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana Cells in Root Tissue under Application of Uniaxial Tensile Force

Cell walls play an important role in determining plant shape. Because the physical enlargement of plant cells is limited principally by the ability of the cell wall to expand, looking at deformation characteristics of the cell wall is crucial to increase understanding of how the mechanical properties drive plant development. Studies on the mechanical properties in Arabidopsis thaliana roots have been performed by indentation testing, but this may not reflect how cell walls deform under tension generated by turgor pressure. Therefore, uniaxial tensile testing was performed on the roots of pLH13 (35S::mCitrine-RCI2A), which expresses a plasma membrane marker that fluoresces when viewed under a confocal microscope. Images were taken at increasing load intervals and analyzed in 3D using the software MorphographX. Testing demonstrated varying dimensional and volume changes under tensile stress of epidermal, cortical, and endodermal cell types. All three cell types expanded most in the direction of the applied force; however, endodermal cells increased most in volume. These results may suggest that cell wall properties may differ between cell types, or might imply that cell walls may differ in deformation response due to interactions with neighboring cells in a tissue

The experiences I gained from participating in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Plant Genome Research and Innovations in Digital Agriculture at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and Cornell University have been invaluable to both my short- and long-term career goals. First, the opportunity to work in the field of scientific plant research has confirmed that it is the career path that I want to continue pursuing. Though it has also showed me that I may prefer applied vs fundamental research, something that I may not have realized before having the opportunity to try. Second, working alongside PhD candidates, as well as PhD researchers and post-docs, has helped demonstrate to me that the pursuit of my own doctorate is something that I know I will be capable of. And finally, learning about the application process for graduate programs has been highly informative. All together the program has given me full confidence that I will be able to progress in the career path that I know is for me.