Developmental, metabolic and physiological pathways contribute to the complex trait of growth in plants. Their transcriptional or translational control mechanisms are well-studied, however much less is known on their epigenetic regulation. Indeed, the histone code and the genomic DNA methylation state also regulate gene expression levels and depend on internal and external cues. In the research unit “Chromatin and Growth Control”, headed by Mieke Van Lijsebettens, the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that determine growth are being studied in Arabidopsis and Brassica using the leaf as experimental system. The work focuses on the upstream signaling and downstream targets of chromatin modifying complexes that impact growth in order to gain basic insight into their molecular networks. The crosstalk between the chromatin modifying complexes and the environment is also investigated in order to identify the molecular determinants of the plasticity of growth. Efficient transformation of maize has been achieved and will be used for translational research in the C4 grass model.