我科学家破解植物科学世纪难题

Core Insights - A Chinese research team has successfully revealed the complete process of how a single plant somatic cell develops into a complete plant, addressing a long-standing challenge in plant life sciences [1][2] - The study, published in the journal "Cell," provides new theoretical support for crop genetic improvement and efficient regeneration [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The concept of "plant cell totipotency" indicates that plant cells can dedifferentiate to form totipotent stem cells, which can then develop into a complete plant [1][2] - The research team has identified the "key" to triggering cell totipotency, involving the specific gene SPCH from leaf stomatal precursor cells and the artificially induced high expression of the gene LEC2, which together form a "molecular switch" [3] - The study has documented the complete path of cell fate reprogramming, revealing a critical bifurcation point where cells can either continue to differentiate into stomata or be reprogrammed into totipotent stem cells under the influence of endogenous auxin [3] Group 2: Methodology and Techniques - The research utilized advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, single-cell sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and live imaging to capture the entire division process of a single plant cell [2] - The team has established a stable system for inducing somatic embryogenesis from single cells, marking a significant advancement in understanding plant cell reprogramming [2][3] Group 3: Implications for Agriculture - This breakthrough opens new pathways to overcome the long-standing "regeneration bottleneck" in agricultural biotechnology, potentially enhancing crop yields and resilience [1][3] - The research is currently being applied to other crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans, indicating its broad applicability in agricultural practices [3]