Towards a functional understanding of cell growth dynamics in shoot meristem stem-cell niche

Shoot apical meristems (SAMs) harbor a set of stem-cells which supply cells for the development of all above-ground structures. A precise spatio-temporal control of growth patterns in stem-cells and the differentiating progeny is critical to maintain a stable set of stem-cells. In recent years, an array of approaches including molecular genetics, transient perturbations, live-imaging, image processing and mathematical modeling have been employed to study the cellular dynamics. In this article, we highlight recent studies that link cell–cell communication mechanisms to cell mechanics and overall growth control that govern stem-cell homeostasis and morphogenesis in SAMs.