title: Multiscale systems analysis of root growth and development: modeling beyond the network and cellular scales.
abstract: Over recent decades, we have gained detailed knowledge of many processes involved in root growth and development. However, with this knowledge come increasing complexity and an increasing need for mechanistic modeling to understand how those individual processes interact. One major challenge is in relating genotypes to phenotypes, requiring us to move beyond the network and cellular scales, to use multiscale modeling to predict emergent dynamics at the tissue and organ levels. In this review, we highlight recent developments in multiscale modeling, illustrating how these are generating new mechanistic insights into the regulation of root growth and development. We consider how these models are motivating new biological data analysis and explore directions for future research. This modeling progress will be crucial as we move from a qualitative to an increasingly quantitative understanding of root biology, generating predictive tools that accelerate the development of improved crop varieties.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Leah R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Band
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fozard
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.forename: Oliver E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pridmore
authors.forename: Malcolm J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D005838:Genotype; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008954:Models, Biological; D010641:Phenotype; D059828:Plant Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D063245:Plant Development / Q000235:genetics; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010937:Plant Growth Regulators