Ultra-Tiny Scale Topographical Cues Direct Arabidopsis Root Growth and Development

Plant growth involves intricate processes, including
cell division,
expansion, and tissue organization, necessitating innovative technologies
that emulate native cell–microenvironment interactions. Herein,
we introduce ultra-tiny topographical cues (e.g., patterned micro/nanoscale
substrates) that mimic micronanofiber structures found in the plant
cell wall. We cultured Arabidopsis on
unique cell wall-inspired ultra-tiny cues within specialized chambers
that positively influenced various physiological aspects compared
to a flat surface. Specifically, we observed bidirectional behavior,
favoring maximum primary root growth and thickness on sparse features
(e.g., 5 μm) and induced predominant anisotropic root alignment
on dense features (e.g., 400–800 nm), with alignment decreasing
monotonically as the feature size increased. Additionally, RNA sequencing
revealed distinct molecular mechanisms underlying Arabidopsis root growth dynamics in response to these ultra-tiny cues, demonstrating
modulation of specific genes involved in root development. Collectively,
our findings highlight the potential of ultra-tiny cues to modulate
gene expression and plant growth dynamics, offering innovative approaches
to enhance agricultural productivity sustainably through feature-size-dependent
interactions.