Research Summary

The Lee Lab focuses on understanding the gene regulatory network in the vascular tissues using Arabidopsis root as a model system. In particular, the lab is trying to understand the developmental role and underlying transcriptional regulatory networks in the procambium/cambium. The procambium is localized in the boundary of xylem and phloem and stays quiescent. However, by unknown developmental cues it will start to divide and generate more xylem and phloem cells. This meristematic tissue, the cambium, leads lateral growth of roots and stems.

Cell type specific transcript profiling using microarray technique combined with cell sorting has generated the expression map in the root covering 17 cell types. Furthermore, the expression profiling in developing cambial/procambial tissues is in progress. Based upon the genome-wide expression data, procambium/cambium specific transcription factors will be identified and their developmental functions and regulatory networks will be systematically characterized by functional genetics and genomics approaches.

With the large scale gene expression data, the lab aims to understand the core gene regulatory network in the procambium and the cambium, and its evolution in the vascular plants.