Understanding root development is critical for enhancing plant growth and health, and advanced technologies are essential for unraveling the complexities of these processes. In this review, we highlight select technological innovations in the study of root development, with a focus on the transformative impact of single-cell gene expression analysis. We provide a high-level overview of recent advancements, illustrating how single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has become a pivotal tool in plant biology. scRNA-seq has revolutionized root biology by enabling detailed, cell-specific analysis of gene expression. This has allowed researchers to create comprehensive root atlases, predict cell development, and map gene regulatory networks (GRNs) with unprecedented precision. Complementary technologies, such as multimodal profiling and bioinformatics, further enrich our understanding of cellular dynamics and gene interactions. Innovations in imaging and modeling, combined with genetic tools like CRISPR, continue to deepen our knowledge of root formation and function. Moreover, the integration of these technologies with advanced biosensors and microfluidic devices has advanced our ability to study plant–microbe interactions and phytohormone signaling at high resolution. These tools collectively provide a more comprehensive understanding of root system architecture and its regulation by environmental factors. As these technologies evolve, they promise to drive further breakthroughs in plant science, with substantial implications for agriculture and sustainability.

中文翻译：

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推进我们对根系发育的理解：来自不同研究的技术和见解


了解根系发育对于增强植物生长和健康至关重要，而先进的技术对于解开这些过程的复杂性至关重要。在这篇综述中，我们重点介绍了根发育研究中的一些技术创新，重点是单细胞基因表达分析的变革性影响。我们提供了最新进展的高级概述，说明了单细胞 RNA 测序 （scRNA-seq） 如何成为植物生物学的关键工具。scRNA-seq 通过对基因表达进行详细的细胞特异性分析，彻底改变了根生物学。这使研究人员能够以前所未有的精度创建全面的根图谱、预测细胞发育和绘制基因调控网络 （GRN）。互补技术，如多模态分析和生物信息学，进一步丰富了我们对细胞动力学和基因相互作用的理解。成像和建模方面的创新，结合 CRISPR 等遗传工具，继续加深我们对根形成和功能的了解。此外，这些技术与先进的生物传感器和微流体设备的集成提高了我们以高分辨率研究植物-微生物相互作用和植物激素信号传导的能力。这些工具共同提供了对根系架构及其受环境因素调节的更全面理解。随着这些技术的发展，它们有望推动植物科学的进一步突破，对农业和可持续性产生重大影响。