Distinct plant stem cells respond differently to DNA damage induced by radiomimetic drugs such as bleomycin and zeocin, with root vascular stem cells undergoing a programmed cell death response. This cell death program subsequently triggers a regenerative response in neighboring cells. However, currently it is not known why the vascular stem cells in particular undergo cell death. In this project, we will use a combination of single-cell sequencing and forward genetic approaches to identify the factors involved and use this knowledge to enhance the DNA damage response of plant stem cells.