9603956 Ortega The growth of fungal sporangiophores, large single cells that are amenable to manipulation, is influenced by external factors, for example light and temperature. These cells represent an ideal system to study single cell development. Dr. Ortega is a biophysicist and has described the growth of these cells by a set of parameters, resulting in a set of "augmented growth equations" which were then studied by pressure probe measurements. The proposal concentrates on the elucidation of mechanisms that control helical growth of elongating sporangiophores. The work includes pressure probe measurements during growth, and analysis of microfibril orientation and slippage of fibrils. The work is strongly based on mathematical models and relies on experimental data mainly to gauge the veracity of theoretical considerations. The value of the work lies in the analysis of a simple model system that can provide a model for the more complex cell wall growth characteristics of plant cells.
