Editors’ Choice and People’s Choice 2022

Stomata are a type of cellular valve found on the surface of plants. Because they allow gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen to flow in and out of plants, they are arguably some of the most important cellular structures on Earth. Under a microscope, stomata resemble tiny mouths, opening and closing as a plant regulates gases and water in its tissue. UT Austin scientists like graduate student Hye Min Seo have uncovered the series of developmental steps that are necessary for a plant to develop its stomata; the left image captures what happens when the plant triggers the process leading to mature stomata. One step involves a protein nicknamed MUTE, which is shown in yellow. When plants lack proper communication between transcriptional factors and signaling pathways in the cell, immature stomatal cells (like those on the right) can result.

Credit:
Hye Min Seo
Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Student