Modelling of Plant Microtubules

Plant productivity and resilience to environmental stresses such as climate change depends on the mechanisms that define cellular morphogenesis. This is largely governed by the mechanical properties of the plant cell wall, which is in turn dependent on the spatial organization of dynamic cytoskeletal polymers known as microtubules. In contrast to animal cells, where microtubule organization is controlled by organizing centres, plant cell microtubule arrays are self organized. Understanding this self-organization remains an active area of research where mathematical approaches have proven to be indispensable. This is done by simulating interacting microtubules in shapes representing an individual cell. Starting with simple simulations, different researchers have implemented their own computational models to study various aspects involved in this process. Building on this, these models are now employing increasingly sophisticated ideas. This workshop aims to give researchers the opportunity to understand each others' models and to foster stronger collaborations.