Understanding plant stem cell signaling pathways that control maize ear architecture

Meristem size is controlled by several signaling pathways, including the CLAVATA (CLV) signaling pathway, which consists of a suite of CLV receptors, their CLE peptide ligands, and the transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS).

While this signaling pathway has been much studied over the years, much remains unknown, particularly what connects receptor-mediated perception of CLE peptides to the regulation of WUS.

Additionally, how different CLV receptors work together to control meristem maintenance remains obscure. I have been studying the interactions between CLV receptors using a protein-protein interaction technique called proximity labeling to address these questions.