New discoveries in stem cell research made by international research collaboration
An international team of researchers, including Dr Peter Etchells from our Department of Biosciences, have published new research which brings to light new discoveries in the development and understanding of stem cells.
The new study, published by the journal Science, saw researchers from Durham, University of Helsinki and Utrecht University collaborate to identify the key components required to control the balance of stem cells in plants.
Understanding how trees continue to grow
Through a combination of laboratory testing and computational modelling, the research team analysed Arabidopsis, which is a small weed, to find a formula for understanding stem cell growth in plants. In some trees, these stem cells can exist for hundreds or even thousands of years.
The research team pooled their research expertise to identify how the key stem cell proteins came together to control wood formation.
Their research includes three important discoveries, including: the identity of the factors essential for stem cells, what regulates the stem cell factors, and a mathematical model to better our understanding of how both the stem cell factors and their regulators work together to ensure the continuation of growth throughout the plants life.
The importance of plants and trees
Trees and wood represent a globally important carbon sink and a versatile biomaterial.
In addition to answering the fundamental question of where terrestrial biomass comes from, better understanding of the system of stem cells may be helpful in contributing to forest productivity and carbon capture.
This research could lead to improvements in forestry and tree genetics in the future.
“Trees are among the largest organisms on earth. Most terrestrial biomass is present in the wood of forest trees, and like many tissues in biological systems the cells that constitute it are derived from stem cells. The stem cell factors in wood-forming tissue were not known and through our collaboration we’ve been able to better understand how they are regulated and, therefore, how an important part of the living world functions.”
Find out more
- Find out more about Dr Peter Etchells from our Department of Biosciences.
- Read the full research paper, published by Science.
- Our Department of Biosciences is ranked fifth in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025.
- Visit our Biosciences webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.