Abstract Detail

Developmental and Structural Section

Tremblay, Benoit [1], Rolland-Lagan, Anne-Gaelle [2], Girard-Bock, Camille [3].

Quantifying Shape Changes and Tissue Deformation in Leaf Development.

The mechanisms controlling the shape of organisms remain poorly understood. In his renowned book ‘On Growth and Form’ (1917), famous mathematician and biologist D’Arcy Thompson demonstrated that simple geometric transformations shown as deforming grids can be used to ‘switch’ between morphologies of related species. However, these transformations do not provide any information on how shape is generated or how shape differences arise between species. Our lab recently developed methods to quantify local growth patterns along with d’Arcy Thompson-like shape deformations over the course of development in leaves. The observed patterns suggest the presence of morphogenetic factors originating at the leaf base. In order to elucidate the mechanisms involved in control of growth and shape and to explore this morphogenetic hypothesis, we can alter growth conditions to observe how these gradients and shapes are affected. In this project, we carried out experiments where half the plants were sowed and grown for days after sowing (DAS) 8 to 19 under a reduced photoperiod (8 hrs) and the other half under a prolonged photoperiod (16 hrs). At DAS 10, the photoperiods were switched from reduced to prolonged or vice versa. The results will be used to hypothesize mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis which will be tested using simulation modeling.

1 - University of Ottawa, Biology, Gendron Hall, Room 160, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
2 - University of Ottawa, Biology, Gendron 279,, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
3 - 2631 rue Jean-Brillant, Québec, QC, G1W1E9, Canada

Keywords:
leaf shape
growth pattern formation
morphogenesis
photoperiod
leaf growth
Development
Arabidopsis
simulation modeling.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PDS008
Abstract ID:240
Candidate for Awards:Developmental and Structural Section best poster,CSPB President's Award for Best Student Presentation,CSPB Travel Bursary