Beyond the Gene: Molecular Circuits Shaping Plant Cells and Tissues

Dear Colleagues,

Plants, as master architects of the biological world, construct intricate cellular and tissue architectures that are the foundation of all life on Earth. These intrinsic arrangements—from the precise patterning of stomata for gas exchange to the complex vascular networks for nutrient transport—are essential for diverse biological functions, enabling adaptation to fluctuating environments, defense against pathogens, and the critical process of photosynthesis. The execution of these functions is not a property of a single cell but a symphony of developmental programs and spatial coordination among neighboring cells and their environment. This coordination culminates in the precise localization of functional molecules at the subcellular level, dictating cellular identity and organismal form.

While many of the key players have been mapped, fundamental questions remain: How are these complex structures and functions dynamically regulated at the molecular level? How do signals from the environment integrate with internal developmental cues to orchestrate cellular behavior? How do subcellular dynamics translate into tissue-level organization?

With this Special Issue, “Beyond the Gene: Molecular Circuits Shaping Plant Cells and Tissues”, we aim to address these core questions by advancing our understanding of the molecular circuitry governing plant cell function, tissue organization, and developmental regulation. We invite submissions of original research that employs cutting-edge cell biology, molecular genetics, genomics, proteomics, and systems biology approaches to provide novel insights into these mechanisms. We particularly welcome studies that bridge scales, from molecules to organelles, cells, and tissues, as well as comprehensive reviews and articles detailing significant technical advances that propel the field forward.

Dr. Tarek Alshaal
Guest Editor

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