Prof. Martin Hülskamp
Botanisches Institut III, Universität Köln

"Trichome Patterning in Arabidopsis: steps towards theoretical modelling"

Arabidopsis trichomes are regularly distributed on the leafsurface. They are initiated at the base of growing leaves without an obvious reference to other structures on the leaf except for already existing trichomes. Genetic analysis has identified a number of patterning genes that either promote trichome formation or inhibit trichome formation. The current genetic and molecular analysis is consistent with different theoretical models. In order to test the relevance of different models we started a close interplay between theoretical modelling and experimental validations.