The endodermal passage cell – just another brick in the wall?

The endodermis surrounds and protects the vasculature partly by depositing hydrophobic suberin in cell walls. Yet, some cells remain unsuberised. These historically termed ‘passage cells’ are assumed to provide a low-resistance pathway xylem. Only recently have we started gain molecular insights into these cells, which allow us probe how roots coordinate communication with environment across barriers single-cell precision. Increased understanding of root physiology at high-resolution is intriguing, as it likely new tools improve overall plant health. With this mind, here brief overview passage their presence species, well update future directions for cell-related research.