A Multiscale Computational Framework Linking Cortical Microtubule Dynamics to Plant Tissue Morphogenesis

Abstract

Plant morphogenesis emerges through the coordinated regulation of cell growth and mechanical interactions across multiple spatial scales. A central role in this process is played by cortical microtubule (MT) arrays, which guide cellulose deposition and thereby regulate anisotropic cell expansion. Here, we develop a coupled multiscale computational framework integrating a dynamic vertex model of tissue mechanics with a stochastic model of cortical MT dynamics. Within this framework, MT organization regulates anisotropic cell-wall stiffness, while evolving cell geometry feeds back to influence MT alignment through bidirectional mechanochemical coupling. Simulations show that distinct regimes of MT self-organization generate qualitatively different tissue growth behaviors, ranging from isotropic expansion to strongly anisotropic elongation. Together, our results demonstrate that stochastic a complex coupling of MT self-organization with cell geometry and tissue mechanics is sufficient to generate emergent tissue-scale growth anisotropy, establishing a minimal multiscale framework linking cytoskeletal dynamics to plant tissue morphogenesis.