The continuum of outer epidermal wall, cuticle and waxy layer in plant glands with exogenous secretion investigated from a structural-functional perspective

• Grant number: 25/00247-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Rodrigues Machado
• Grantee: Silvia Rodrigues Machado
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Botucatu
• Associated researchers: Elza Maria Guimarães Santos ; Tatiane Maria Rodrigues ; Yve Canaveze

Abstract

The current research focuses on the analysis of the outer epidermal wall, cuticle, and epicuticular wax layer of plant glands whose secretions are released into the external environment (exogenous secretion). The significant advances that have occurred in recent decades in the knowledge of the morphological diversity of glandular types, cytology, and chemical composition of plant secretions have not been accompanied by advances in the knowledge of the architecture, microstructure, and ultrastructure of the compartments involved in the release of secretion into the external environment. In addition to the intrinsic difficulties in the ultrastructural study of the cuticle, the interpretation of microscopic aspects is hampered by different biological models, study methods, and diverse terminology, which makes it difficult to interpret structural particularities and their functional implications. In this project, we consider the cuticle as a complex structure integrated with the outer wall of epidermal cells and the wax layer, forming a structural-functional continuum, which will be investigated in detail in different glands. Based on previous studies, we will analyze secretory trichomes, nectaries, elaiophores, and osmophores, structures that produce secretions that mediate plant-animal interactions. Samples of organs containing such structures at different stages of development will be collected and processed for studies using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We expect to obtain relevant and impactful results in the knowledge of the structural-functional properties of the outer epidermal wall and cuticle of plant glands and their implications in the release of secretions to the external environment, representing signals or resources for interacting animals. We plan scientific publications in widely circulated journals, the training of qualified human resources, and the consolidation of partnerships with researchers in Brazil and abroad. (AU)