Martin Crespi

TL;DR: Some key biotic and abiotic constraints on root development and function in the soil environment are examined and some of the adaptations roots have evolved to counter such stresses discussed.

TL;DR: Legumes develop different types of lateral organs from their primary root, lateral roots and nodules, the latter depending on a symbiotic interaction with Sinorhizobium meliloti, and cloned and characterized the expression of Medicago truncatula genes encoding members of cytokinin signaling pathways, identifying a common pathway activated during early S.Meliloti interaction.

TL;DR: This work demonstrates that miR390, TAS3-derived trans-acting short-interfering RNAs (tasiRNAs), and AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORS (ARFs) form an auxin-responsive regulatory network controlling lateral root growth and integrates with auxin signaling to quantitatively regulate organ growth during development.

TL;DR: It is found that the genomic architecture of flowering time has been shaped by the most recent whole-genome duplication, which suggests that ancient paralogues can remain in the same regulatory networks for dozens of millions of years.

TL;DR: It is suggested that the miR169-mediated restriction of MtHAP2-1 expression to the nodule meristematic zone is essential for the differentiation of nodule cells.