Breakthrough in scientific research! Chinese scientists have deciphered the code for plant regeneration.

How do plants maintain their stem cell function to achieve strong regenerative ability? Exploring this core issue is not only an important frontier of plant science research, but also opens up a new theoretical framework and technological approach for increasing crop yield, improving the quality of fruits and vegetables, and enhancing the environmental adaptability of trees. The latest research from the Center of Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by researcher Yang Weibing and his team, has found the answer to this question. The cell wall, as the "skeleton" of plant cells, plays a central role in the regulation of stem cells. The study found that in the stem cell region of plant stems, the main component of the cell wall, pectin, shows a unique "binary distribution" pattern: newly formed cell walls are "soft", rich in de-esterified pectin; while mature cell walls are "hard", mainly composed of highly esterified pectin. This "soft and hard" spatial-temporal configuration is crucial for maintaining the stem cell microenvironment stability. The research findings were published in the international academic journal Science on December 5th Beijing time.