Re-engineering symmetry breaking in development and evolution (RESYDE)

The development of multicellular organisms depends on coordinated symmetry-breaking events resulting from various mechanisms, from the asymmetric localization of molecules and stochastic processes within cells to the formation of morphogen gradients in a tissue. A mechanistic understanding of complex pattern formation processes therefore requires gaining knowledge about the molecular basis of symmetry breaking events occurring at different scales. RESYDE will address this challenge by integrating information from different approaches into a virtual, dynamic cell template. Mathematical modeling will then be used to explain symmetry breaking at different scales. We will use the Arabidopsis flower as a model system and apply an interdisciplinary approach that combines fine-scale perturbations with in vivo live imaging of key regulators as well as spatially imaged multi-omics data, hormone gradients and tissue mechanics to detect responses at multiple scales. To utilize these data, we will create a 4D virtual cell template together with multiscale models to generate and simulate hypotheses about the precise molecular origins of symmetry breaking events within the stem cell population that develops into the bluete.