Why does our lab study cell wall signaling? Plant cell walls are a critical source for raw materials. They provide dietary fibre in our food, and can be processed into natural, vegan textiles (like cotton, linen, and rayon), vegan gelling/thickening agents (such as pectins), green replacements to single use plastics (wood, paper, or compostable bioplastics), or renewable biofuels. Cell walls are therefore important targets for biotechnology, but attempts to modify plant cell walls have exposed a critical gap in the knowledge: plant cell wall modification can trigger cell wall signaling, which can limit plant growth. In our newest paper in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science, MSc student Gauen Shin reviews what is known about cell wall signaling and what knowledge gaps remain to be closed by ongoing research.
Shin, G. & McFarlane, H.E.# (2025) “Understanding cell wall signaling to open new opportunities for modifying plant cell walls.” Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences 105: 1-8.