Combining molecular biology and biophysics, the scientists tackled a fundamental question: how can cells communicate across the organ to coordinate their growth and produce complex shapes? Plants ...

Plant cells are surrounded by an intricately structured protective coat called the cell wall. It’s built of cellulose microfibrils intertwined with polysaccharides like hemicellulose or pectin.

Intrigued by the shape similarities between mammalian lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and plant cells, Mäkinen and her colleagues sought insights from plant epidermal cells, which also endure ...