Cell polarity and asymmetric division in plants
Official title: Cell polarity, asymmetric cell division and differentiation in plants.
Funded at Texas A&m Agrilife Research · NIH-11334328 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how plant cells decide their fate by dividing in an uneven way, using Arabidopsis to understand the process that creates diverse cell types.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m Agrilife Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $415,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM131827-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11334328 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable (basic plant biology research).
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient involvement or benefit in this basic plant study.
What this research studies
Scientists will investigate how plant cells polarize and divide to produce different cell types, focusing on the stomatal lineage in Arabidopsis. The work builds on BASL, a key polarity protein, to map signaling components that drive each step of asymmetric cell division. The approach combines genetic, molecular, and imaging methods to reveal how initial polarity leads to distinct daughter cells. This knowledge could illuminate general principles of plant development and improve our understanding of cell differentiation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining insight into plant development could lead to advances in crop biology and stress resilience.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has established BASL as a pivotal polarity protein regulating stomatal ACD in Arabidopsis.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m Agrilife Research
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Juan — Texas A&m Agrilife Research
- Study coordinator: Dong, Juan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.