Work

Engineering living root with mechanical stimulation derived from reciprocating compression in a double network hydrogel as elastic soil

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The root system actively reacts to mechanical stimuli in its environment, transmitting mechanical signals to optimize the utilization of environmental resources . While the mechanical impedance created by the growth medium serves as the primary source of stimulation for the roots, extensive research has focused on the roots' response to static mechanical stimulation. However, the impact of dynamic mechanical stimulation on root phenotype remains underexplored. In this study, we utilized a low acyl gellan gum/polyacrylamide (GG/PAM) double network elastic hydrogel as the growth medium for rapeseed. We constructed a mechanical device to investigate the effects of reciprocating extrusion stimulation on the growth of the rapeseed root system . After three weeks of mechanical stimulation, the root system exhibited a significant increase in lateral roots. This branching enhanced the roots' anchoring and penetration into the hydrogel, thereby improving the root system's adaptability to its environment. Our findings offer valuable data and insights into the effects of reciprocating mechanical stimulation on root growth , providing a new way for engineering root phenotype.

Source: Advanced Agrochem

DOI: 10.1016/j.aac.2024.10.001

Authors: Qiye Wu, Jinchun Xie, Junfu Li, Yongjun Men

Institutions: Donghua University, State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials

Language: English

Topic: Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Shanghai Science and Technology Development Foundation, Donghua University, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

Award: G612880612