The precision of cell-cell signalling and plasticity of cell fates in the Arabidopsis root meristem are unmasked by laser ablation. The selective traffic of a plant hormone, auxin, is used to control cell polarity in plant tissues. A combination of influx and highly selective efflux transporters coordinate the flow of auxin within the plant and directly control cell fates. Vascular continuity and auxin signals. Thomas Berleth, Jim Mattsson and Christian S. Hardtke.
Plants respond in a robust fashion to cell damage.
Neighbouring cells will re-differentiate to effectively repair disrupted tissue. Plant cell fates are flexible, even within adult tissues. The Arabidopsis root meristem forms a ideal system for studying cell-cell interactions in plants. It has a simple and stereotypical architecture, with very regular arrangements of cell files around a central group of initials, or stem cells. It grows indeterminately, and is exposed, small, and transparent.