In Arabidopsis seeds, distinct phases of seed germination are marked by testa and endosperm rupture. Testa rupture, which is not observed in dormant seeds, provides a visible sign of germination events occurring in seeds, while endosperm rupture marks completion of germination (in a strict sense). During these two phases, elongation of the endosperm together with the enclosed embryo is observed, suggesting that embryo growth potential is generated and increased and, more importantly, that the micropylar region of endosperm (ME) is being weakened. Recent work of our group on tissue-specific gene expression in Arabidopsis seeds has presented a substantial amount of information about ME-enriched gene expression, which provided new insights into the mechanisms of embryo endosperm interaction for the regulation of ME-specific gene expression, an important research theme in seed biology. These analyses suggest a role for mechano- or touch sensing in the control of testa rupture. One of the genes involved is TOUCH3 (TCH3), which is known to interact with PIDOID (PID) a regulator of auxin signaling and transport. Here we propose to investigate the suggested role for auxin signaling and TCH3 activity in testa rupture.

The project CASUAL intends to deliver robust and scientifically sound evidence regarding the question of how to promote sustainable living and consumption patterns by including citizen and consumer perspectives in the governance of urban areas. The project will develop new forms of inclusive urban planning in complex urban governance systems by exploring the urban living lab concept to assess its scope, feasibility and robustness regarding the mobilisation and integration of various stakeholders. The major goal of the project is to create and manage two ?Urban Living Labs? at the neighbourhood level in Vienna (?In der Wiesen Ost?) and Stockholm (Årsta and Östberga) to generate innovative ideas and scenarios as well as new trade-offs for sustainable urban development. This will be systematically explored and evaluated. In order to inform the work conducted in the urban living labs, three background case studies will be carried out to examine three closely related topics: (i) transit-oriented development and travel behaviour (The Netherlands); (ii) mobility patterns and lifestyles (Austria); and (iii) housing re-development and preferences (Sweden). The findings and derived ?good practices? from this project shall be analysed regarding their transferability to other social, institutional and issue-based contexts.

In the coming decades, a substantial number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers need to be installed. The Dutch Climate Accord, accordingly, urges for preparation of regional-scale spatial programs with focus on transport infrastructure for three major metropolitan regions among them Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (AMA). Spatial allocation of EV chargers could be approached at two different spatial scales. At the metropolitan scale, given the inter-regional flow of cars, the EV chargers of one neighbourhood could serve visitors from other neighbourhoods during days. At the neighbourhood scale, EV chargers need to be allocated as close as possible to electricity substations, and within a walkable distance from the final destination of EV drivers during days and nights, i.e. amenities, jobs, and dwellings. This study aims to bridge the gap in the previous studies, that is dealing with only of the two scales, by conducting a two-phase study on EV infrastructure. At the first phase of the study, the necessary number of new EV chargers in 353 4-digit postcodes of AMA will be calculated. On the basis of the findings of the Phase 1, as a case study, EV chargers will be allocated at the candidate street parking locations in the Amsterdam West borough. The methods of the study are Mixed-integer nonlinear programming, accessibility and street pattern analysis. The study will be conducted on the basis of data of regional scale travel behaviour survey and the location of dwellings, existing chargers, jobs, amenities, and electricity substations.

The land-sea interface is a very attractive location for humans to settle. In the case of low lying, sedimentary coastlines this can be a risky location, as these shorelines are inherently dynamic in nature. Accelerating rates of relative sea level rise will increase coastal erosion, creating world-wide growing demands for coastal protection along urbanized shores. Central notion to this project is that the key to sustainably adapt to this situation is to be found in smart, pro-active sediment management using ‘building-with-nature’ (BwN) approaches, rather than in traditional reactive approaches involving expansion of static, hard coastal defense structures. However, an element that has been overlooked so far in current BwN approaches, is the interaction with the built environment at the land-sea interface, creating new conditions for both sediment dynamics and settlement. Leaving this interaction unnoticed, these elements may be affecting each other adversely. A better understanding of their interaction offers the potential to create new ‘coastal buffer zones’ combining flood defense, urban development, and spatial quality. This project aims to develop knowledge, tools and design principles for dynamic occupation of the land-sea interface, to enhance BwN-processes and exploit its potential for the spatial development of multi-functional coastal environments – shorescapes. The sandy, dune-aligned west coast of the Netherlands is employed as a Living Lab to study interaction of aeolian sediment flows and building-configurations in the beach-dune environment and develop design principles to support these dynamics in order to contribute to the natural adaptation and sustainable development of urban sandy shores.