M. van Dop (Maritza)

Plants develop from a single fertilized cell into a complete plant with millions of cells arranged into organized patterns and functions. When a cut organ or cells without cell wall are placed into tissue culture, (groups of) cells can regenerate to re-establish these cell patterns and identities. But what cellular and tissue cues contribute to this process?

I have always been fascinated by how cellular processes such as cell polarity and cell division regulate developmental decisions and outcomes. In my group, we combine genetics, cell biology, developmental biology, advanced imaging and biochemistry to investigate this theme.

• Plant and Animal Biology