The Turing heritage for plant biology: all spots and stripes?

Abstract

In 'The chemical basis of morphogenesis' (1952), Alan Turing introduced an idea that revolutionised our thinking about pattern formation. He proposed that diffusion could lead to the spontaneous formation of regular patterns. Here, we discuss the impact of Turing's idea on plant science using three well-established examples at different scales: ROP patterning inside single cells, epidermal patterning across several cells and whole vegetation patterns. Also at intermediate levels, e.g., organ spacing, plants look surprisingly regular. But not all regular patterns are Turing patterns, careful observation and prediction of the patterning process-not just the final pattern-is critical to distinguish between mechanisms.