Genetics of angiosperm shoot apical meristem development

Recent progress has been made in the genetic dissection of angiosperm shoot apical meristem (SAM) structure and function. Genes required for proper SAM development have been identified in a variety of species through the isolation of mutants. In addition, genes with expression patterns indicating they play a role in SAM function have been identified molecularly. The processes of SAM formation, self-renewal, and pattern formation within the SAM are examined with an emphasis on the contributions of recent classical and molecular genetic experiments to our understanding of this basic problem in plant developmental biology.