Monica Garcia Gomez

Life on earth is highly dependent on plants for the generation of critical resources such as food and oxygen. These sessile organisms rely on a remarkable developmental plasticity to cope with environmental challenges and to regenerate severe damages to their basic structures. In my group we use a computational modelling approach coupled with experiments to uncover the mechanisms that plants use:

1. In response to combined suboptimal high temperatures and drought (CropXR-research).
2. To regenerate the root apex after resection.

CROPXR-research – Mechanistic modelling of plant resilience to suboptimal high temperature and drought 

CropXR is a Dutch initiative that brings together experts in plant biology, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, mechanistic modelling, and control theory in order to develop smart-breeding of extra-resilient crops. As part of Crop-XR we are developing mechanistic models of plant responses to simultaneous and prolonged high ‘ambient’ temperature (T) and water-deficit (D) conditions to identify the molecular hubs at which trade-offs and synergies arise. The outcome of this research will direct efforts for the development of improved crop varieties that will perform better under more challenging conditions, key to face the upcoming climate conditions and limitations in the use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides. 

Multi-scale models to unravel the complexity of root tip regeneration 

Roots explore the soil in search of resources such as water and nutrients, and may also face herbivores or mechanical obstacles that can damage them. Fortunately, plants possess an outstanding capacity for regeneration, as root tip regeneration in which the cells remaining in the stump transit through ordered changes of cell fate to self-organize a new root stem cell niche in a matter of days. In my group we use multi-scale models to integrate the role of different pieces of this regeneration puzzle, and elucidate the mechanisms driving the competence to regenerate and the dynamic changes in gene expression and hormonal activity during the repatterning of the root tissue. As part of the Experimental and Computational Plant Development group this computational research is being developed using experimental data to establish an iterative systems biology approach, essential to uncover the self-organizing principles behind root regeneration.