PhD on the role of programmed cell death during tomato fruit ripening KU Leuven
The fruit’s internal oxygen level is important in sustaining the metabolism of the fruit. If too low the fruit will suffocate. The internal oxygen levels are largely influenced by the fruit’s tissue structure. We have evidence that fruit are able to adapt their microstructure to their metabolic needs by, in a controlled way, inducing additional pores through programmed cell death (PCD), thus to allow enough oxygen to enter the fruit. The ...