title: Modelling the development and arrangement of the primary vascular structure in plants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The process of vascular development in plants results in the formation of a specific array of bundles that run throughout the plant in a characteristic spatial arrangement. Although much is known about the genes involved in the specification of procambium, phloem and xylem, the dynamic processes and interactions that define the development of the radial arrangement of such tissues remain elusive.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study presents a spatially explicit reaction-diffusion model defining a set of logical and functional rules to simulate the differentiation of procambium, phloem and xylem and their spatial patterns, starting from a homogeneous group of undifferentiated cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Simulation results showed that the model is capable of reproducing most vascular patterns observed in plants, from primitive and simple structures made up of a single strand of vascular bundles (protostele), to more complex and evolved structures, with separated vascular bundles arranged in an ordered pattern within the plant section (e.g. eustele).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results presented demonstrate, as a proof of concept, that a common genetic-molecular machinery can be the basis of different spatial patterns of plant vascular development. Moreover, the model has the potential to become a useful tool to test different hypotheses of genetic and molecular interactions involved in the specification of vascular tissues.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cartenì
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giannino
authors.forename: Fritz Hans
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Schweingruber
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzoleni
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018519:Meristem / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D008954:Models, Biological; D052585:Phloem / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D063245:Plant Development; D058526:Plant Vascular Bundle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D010944:Plants / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction; D052584:Xylem / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development