[CEPCEB_All] CEPCEB Seminar: Jack Xu 3/21

[IIGBadmin IIGBadmin]

     You are cordially invited to attend

          Jack Xu

*                    UC Davis*


[image: Picture.jpg]

*Single-cell and Spatial Gene Expression Analysis Reveals Key Regulators of
Stem Cell*
*Dynamics and Meristem Fate in Crop Inflorescence Development*

*Date:* Friday, March 21

*Time:* 12pm - 1:00 pm

*Location: *Genomics Auditorium 1102


*Abstract:*

Stem cell regulation and meristem fate transitions are fundamental to plant
shoot development and productivity, yet their genetic control remains
difficult to decipher due to redundancy and pleiotropy. Leveraging
high-resolution single-cell and spatial gene expression analysis combined
with genome editing, we dissected key regulatory networks governing maize,
wheat, and Arabidopsis inflorescence shoot development, leading to novel
insights into stem cell maintenance, meristem identity, and crop
yield-related traits.


Through precise dissection of meristematic regions, we generated a
stage-specific single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) atlas of maize ear
and tassel meristems, resolving dynamic transitions across the
inflorescence meristem, spikelet pair meristem, spikelet meristem, floral
meristem, and branch meristem stages (unpublished). This atlas uncovered
previously uncharacterized transcription factors and signaling molecules
defining meristem identity. Additionally, it enabled the large-scale
recovery of shoot stem cells in maize and Arabidopsis, facilitating the
efficient capture of thousands of CLAVATA3- and WUSCHEL-expressing cells
(Xu et al., 2024, bioRxiv). Cross-species single-cell analysis followed by
spatial gene expression validation identified conserved stem cell markers,
including a SERPINE1 mRNA-binding protein family that regulates shoot
meristem size.


Building on this foundation, we conducted in-depth profiling of stem cell
proliferation mutants, revealing regulatory shifts associated with meristem
overgrowth. Further analysis uncovered WUSCHEL-targeted sugar kinase genes
implicated in cytokinin homeostasis, with CRISPR genome editing providing
functional insights into their roles in maintaining stem cell activity.

Expanding beyond maize, we applied single cell and spatial gene expression
analysis in wheat to map the spatial organization of gene expression in
spikelet development (Xu et al., 2025, bioRxiv). Multiplex spatial
profiling identified over 20 distinct gene expression domains governing
meristem maintenance, organ differentiation, and vascular patterning.
Comparative analyses of maize and wheat datasets highlighted both conserved
and species-specific regulatory mechanisms shaping inflorescence
architecture.



This work establishes a comprehensive single-cell and spatial gene
expression framework for studying plant shoot meristem and stem cell
dynamics. By integrating high-resolution transcriptomics with functional
validation, we provide a transformative resource for understanding crop
development and guiding future breeding strategies for improved
agricultural productivity.





-- 

Respectfully,

IIGB Office



*Email: i <chantti.compay at ucr.edu>igbadmin at ucr.edu <igbadmin at ucr.edu>
| Useful Links <https://iigb.ucr.edu/department-resources>*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.ucr.edu/pipermail/cepceb_all/attachments/20250311/d74ca2fe/attachment-0001.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Picture.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 2388954 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <https://lists.ucr.edu/pipermail/cepceb_all/attachments/20250311/d74ca2fe/attachment-0001.jpg>