Genetic Regulation of Meristem Function in Plants
Paula McSteen Lab
Research Interests
Unlike animals, which make organs only during embryogenesis, plants make organs throughout their lifetime through the action of specialized groups of cells called meristems. Meristems function by setting aside groups of cells to become organ primordia while maintaining a population of undifferentiated cells to support further growth.
The McSteen lab focuses on axillary meristems, which give rise to branches and flowers and therefore play a fundamental role in plant architecture and reproduction. The goal of their research is to understand how the hormonal signal for axillary meristem initiation is perceived and transmitted to cause the changes in gene expression, cell division and expansion required for the formation of an axillary meristem.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Paula McSteen
Principal Investigator, Bond LSC
Professor of Biological Sciences
Member of Interdisciplinary Plant Group
phone(573) 882-9830
email mcsteenp@missouri.edu
Paula McSteen is a professor in the Division of Biological Sciences and part of the Interdisciplinary Plant Group (IPG). Developmental biologist McSteen is studying the genetics of the maize plant, and in particular, she is investigating how a certain plant growth hormone – auxin – affects the manner in which a corn plant grows branches, leaves, flowers, and ears. In cooperation with other researchers, McSteen discovered that auxin is critical for controlling growth within a group of plant stem cells, called meristems, which can develop into leaves, flowers or any number of plant organs. McSteen’s research is expected to improve understanding of the corn plant, which at some point may lead to increased crop yields. Her work with maize has already led other researchers to begin investigations on how the hormone auxin works in other plants, including trees.
LAB MEMBERS
In the news
Dec. 2, 2022
Understanding grass diversity: the key to increase crop yields
The mutant corn ear in the middle makes kernels in single rows rather than paired rows. The McSteen lab studies kernel development in this grass crop to one day help improve crop yields. | photo by Kristina Abovyan, Bond LSC by Kristina Abovyan, Bond LSC You might look at your yard and not think much of grass, but the family of narrow-leafed plants spans 12,000 species and a world of diversity from the grasslands of the Serengeti to the corn fields of the Midwest. “They are incredible; they are all over the world and do all kinds…
April 28, 2021
Lab explores link between genetic differences and domestication in kale
Tatiana Arias and Chad Niederhuth studied the plant, kale, in this publication. | “Kale” by photofarmer is licensed under CC BY 2.0 By Becca Wolf | Bond LSC It is said that variety is the spice of life. When it comes to kale, much of that variation derives from domestication, and genetic differences that evolved over thousands of years resulted in different color of leaves, nutritional value, and habit and length of growth. Understanding the links between traits and genes could one day help plant scientists create better vegetables for…
June 7, 2017
The evolution of a corn geneticist
By Jennifer Lu |Bond LSC Paula McSteen is a professor of biological sciences at MU and a researcher at the Bond Life Sciences Center. | Photograph by Jennifer Lu, Bond LSC When developmental plant geneticist Paula McSteen thinks about the specimens she studies, one word comes to mind: potential. She thought it as she stood in the midst of the first corn field she ever planted as a post-doctoral fellow in corn genetics. She thinks it as she counts kernels from corn crosses that will be sent to Hawaii, a hotspot for corn geneticists looking to…