Quantitative Modeling of Arabidopsis Development

Lars Muendermann1, Yvette Erasmus2, Brendan Lane1, Enrico Coen2, and Przemyslaw Prusinkiewicz1.
1 Department of Computer Science, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
2 Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom

Abstract

We present an empirical model of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), intended as a framework for quantitative understanding of plant development. The model simulates and realistically visualizes development of aerial parts of the plant from seedling to maturity. It integrates thousands of measurements, taken from several plants at frequent time intervals. These data are used to infer growth curves, allometric relations, and progression of shapes over time, which are incorporated into the final three-dimensional model. Through the process of model construction, we identify the key attributes required to characterize the development of Arabidopsis plant form over time. The model provides a basis for integrating experimental data and constructing mechanistic models.

Reference

Lars Muendermann, Yvette Erasmus, Brendan Lane, Enrico Coen, and Przemyslaw Prusinkiewicz. Quantitative Modeling of Arabidopsis Development. Plant Physiology 139, pp. 960-968.

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