Prevention of severe COVID-19 disease by SARS-CoV-2 in high-risk patients, such as immuno-compromised individuals, can be achieved by administration of antibody prophylaxis, but producing antibodies can be costly. Plant expression platforms allow substantial lower production costs compared to traditional bio-manufacturing platforms depending on mammalian cells in bioreactors. In this study, we describe

SummaryResistant starch (RS) is a special kind of starch with beneficial effects on obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic complications. Breeding high‐RS rice varieties is considered a valuable way to improve public health. However, most rice cultivars only contain an RS level lower than 2% in cooked rice, and cloning of RS genes is critical to improve RS levels in rice. The loss of function of

SummaryVery‐long‐chain (VLC) alkanes are major components of hydrophobic cuticular waxes that cover the aerial epidermis of land plants, serving as a waterproofing barrier to protect the plant against environmental stresses. The mechanism of VLC‐alkane biosynthesis has been extensively elucidated in plants. However, little is known about the biosynthesis of long‐chain alkanes (LC, C13 ~ C19) such as

SummaryAs global temperatures rise, improving crop yields will require enhancing the thermotolerance of crops. One approach for improving thermotolerance is using bioengineering to increase the thermostability of enzymes catalysing essential biological processes. Photorespiration is an essential recycling process in plants that is integral to photosynthesis and crop growth. The enzymes of photorespiration

SummaryThe genetic improvement of rice eating and cooking quality (ECQ) is an important goal in rice breeding. It is important to understand the genetic regulation of ECQ at the genomic level for effective breeding to improve ECQ. However, the mechanisms underlying the improvement of ECQ of indica and japonica cultivars in southern China remain unclear. In this study, 290 rice cultivars (155 indica

SummaryCrop diseases cause significant quality and yield losses to global crop products each year and are heavily controlled by chemicals along with very limited antibiotics composed of small molecules. However, these methods often result in environmental pollution and pest resistance, necessitating the development of new bio‐controlling products to mitigate these hazards. To identify effective antimicrobial

Severe vitamin E deficiency causes ataxia, neuropathy, anaemia and other health conditions, and inadequate vitamin E status is prevalent in healthy population (Malik et al., 2021). Meanwhile, global food production falls short in delivering sufficient vitamin E, resulting in a nutrient gap of 31% (Smith et al., 2021). Although various tocochromanol isoforms are found in crop seeds, only α-tocopherol

SummarySoybean, a staple crop on a global scale, frequently encounters challenges due to lodging under high planting densities, which results in significant yield losses. Despite extensive research, the fundamental genetic mechanisms governing lodging resistance in soybeans remain elusive. In this study, we identify and characterize the Creeping Stem 1 (CS1) gene, which plays a crucial role in conferring

SummaryFlooding is a widespread natural disaster that causes tremendous yield losses of global food production. Rice is the only cereal capable of growing in aquatic environments. Direct seeding by which seedlings grow underwater is an important cultivation method for reducing rice production cost. Hypoxic germination tolerance and root growth in waterlogged soil are key traits for rice adaptability

SummaryThe growth and development of maize (Zea mays L.) are significantly impeded by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) play crucial roles in enabling plants to detect and respond to elevated temperatures. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying the responses of HSFs to heat stress in maize remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of

SummaryHow carbon (sucrose) and nitrogen (amino acid) accumulation is coordinatively controlled in cereal grains remains largely enigmatic. We found that overexpression of the strigolactone (SL) biosynthesis gene CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 8 (CCD8) resulted in greater ear diameter and enhanced sucrose and amino acid accumulation in maize kernels. Loss of ZmCCD8 function reduced kernel growth with

Double haploid (DH) technology can be used to rapidly develop homozygous lines (Geiger and Gordillo, 2009). As the fundamental component of DH technology, the traditional inducer lines were developed through a process of recurrent selection over multiple generations, a method that was inherently time-consuming. The advent of gene editing technology has facilitated the creation of inducer lines in an

Ferredoxins (Fds), a category of small iron-sulphur [2Fe-2S] cluster-containing proteins, localize in plastids and are required for distributing electrons from photosystem I (PSI) to downstream metabolic reactions (Hanke and Mulo, 2013). Based on their expression pattern and redox potential, Fds in higher plants are classified into leaf (photosynthetic) and root (non-photosynthetic) types. In rice

Flavonoids are a class of secondary metabolites widely present in plants that serve various functions, such as pigmentation, UV protection and defence against pathogens and herbivores (Naik et al., 2022). Numerous structural genes and transcription factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis have been successfully identified (Naik et al., 2022), which has significantly enhanced our understanding of

SummaryTomato is one of the most economically important vegetable crops in the world and has been seriously affected by the devastating agricultural pest root‐knot nematodes (RKNs). Current understanding of tomato resistance to RKNs is quite limited. VQ motif‐containing family proteins are plant‐specific regulators; however, whether and how tomato VQs regulate resistance to RKNs is unknown. Here, we

SummaryRapeseed (Brassica napus) is a globally significant oilseed crop with strong heterosis performance. Recessive genic male sterility (RGMS) is one of the key approaches for utilizing heterosis in B. napus. However, this method faces the inherent challenge of being time‐consuming and labour‐intensive for removing fertile plants during seed production. Here, we report a hypocotyl length‐regulated

SummaryIt is urgent to mine novel blast‐resistant genes in rice and develop new rice varieties with pyramiding blast‐resistant genes. In this study, a new blast‐resistant gene, OsBRW1, was screened from a set of rice near‐isogenic lines (NILs) with different blast‐resistant ability. Under the infection of Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae), OsBRW1 in the resistant NIL Pi‐4b was highly induced than that

SummaryThe abscisic acid (ABA) signalling pathway plays a crucial role in plants’ response to drought stress. In this study, we aimed to characterize the impact of an ABA signalling module, which consisted of TaPYL9 and its downstream partners in Triticum aestivum, on plant drought adaptation. Our results showed that TaPYL9 protein contains conserved motifs and targets plasma membrane and nucleus after

SummaryHeat stress (HS) has become a major factor limiting crop yields worldwide. HS inhibits plant growth by ROS accumulation, and NADPH oxidases (Rbohs) are major ROS producers in plants. Here, we show that CRISPR/Cas knockout of the OsRbohB (OsRbohB‐KO) significantly increased rice tolerance to HS imposed at various different growth stages. We produced OsRbohB‐KO and OsRbohB‐overexpression (OsRbohB‐OE)

SummaryAccurate prediction of flowering time across diverse environments is crucial for effective crop management and breeding. While the accumulated temperature index (ATI) is widely used as an indicator for estimating flowering time, its traditional definition lacks systematic evaluation and genetic basis understanding. Here, using data from 422 rice hybrids across 47 locations, we identified the

SummaryPopulations of Polypogon fugax have developed resistance to many acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicides. This resistance threats the effectiveness and sustainability of herbicide use. In our previous research, a field P. fugax population exhibited GST‐based metabolic resistance to the widely used ACCase‐inhibiting herbicide quizalofop‐p‐ethyl. Here, in this current study, we identified

SummaryIn plants, L‐serine (Ser) biosynthesis occurs through various pathways and is highly dependent on the atmospheric CO2 concentration, especially in C3 species, due to the association of the Glycolate Pathway of Ser Biosynthesis (GPSB) with photorespiration. Characterization of a second plant Ser pathway, the Phosphorylated Pathway of Ser Biosynthesis (PPSB), revealed that it is at the crossroads

Rice blast, caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae, is the most detrimental disease to rice. Yield losses caused by this disease were from 10% to 30% in rice planting areas (Skamnioti and Gurr, 2009); severe cases may even lead to complete cessation of production (Parker et al., 2008). Cloning rice blast resistant genes and applying them to cultivate resistant varieties is a practical and effective method

Quantifying transcript levels is essential for understanding the gene functions and regulatory networks. To achieve this, various techniques have been developed to measure gene transcription levels, including transcriptome sequencing (Mutz et al., 2013). Standard RNA-seq experiment involves several key steps: RNA extraction, mRNA purification, reverse transcription, second-strand cDNA synthesis, adapter

Soybean production in low-latitude regions is more than 50 per cent of the total worldwide production (United States Department of Agriculture, 2023). Therefore, it is very important to increase soybean yield in low-latitude regions. The branching number and flowering time are the major factors affecting soybean grain yield (Fang et al., 2024). Delaying flowering and maturity, and increasing the branch

SummaryThe growing demand for sustainable platforms for biomolecule manufacturing has fuelled the development of plant‐based production systems. Agroinfiltration, the current industry standard, offers several advantages but faces limitations for large‐scale production due to high operational costs and batch‐to‐batch variability. Alternatively, here, we describe the CuBe system, a novel bean yellow

Transcription factors (TFs), representing 5%–8% of eukaryotic nuclear genome, bind specific DNA sequences like promoters to regulate transcription (Lambert et al., 2018). Identifying these sequences is vital for understanding TF functions. Techniques such as chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay, dual-luciferase

SummaryWood of broad‐leaf tree species is a valued source of renewable biomass for biorefinery and a target for genetic improvement efforts to reduce its recalcitrance. Glucuronoxylan (GX) plays a key role in recalcitrance through its interactions with cellulose and lignin. To reduce recalcitrance, we modified wood GX by expressing GH10 and GH11 endoxylanases from Aspergillus nidulans in hybrid aspen

SummaryThe chloroplast genome has considerable potential to enhance crop productivity, but it remains underutilized in breeding because it is difficult to modify. This study elucidates the potential of recently developed chloroplast‐targeted C‐to‐T base editors in facilitating the use of the chloroplast genome for crop breeding. The herbicide metribuzin interferes with photosynthesis by binding to

SummaryCis‐regulatory element editing can generate quantitative trait variation that mitigates extreme phenotypes and harmful pleiotropy associated with coding sequence mutations. Here, we applied a multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 approach, informed by bioinformatic datasets, to generate genotypic variation in the promoter of OsSTOMAGEN, a positive regulator of rice stomatal density. Engineered genotypic variation

SummaryChickpea is the world's fourth largest grown legume crop, which significantly contributes to food security by providing calories and dietary protein globally. However, the increased frequency of drought stress has significantly reduced chickpea production in recent years. Here, we have performed a field experiment with 36 diverse chickpea genotypes to evaluate grain yield, photosynthetic activities

SummaryMaize lethal necrosis (MLN), which is caused by maize chlorotic mottle virus along with a potyvirus, has threatened the food security of smallholders in sub‐Saharan Africa. Mutations in eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs), which also facilitate virus genome translation, are known to confer variable resistance against viruses. Following phylogenetic analysis, we selected two eIF4E

SummaryIn recent years, the CRISPR‐Cas9 nuclease has been used to knock out MicroRNA (miRNA) genes in plants, greatly promoting the study of miRNA function. However, due to its propensity for generating small insertions and deletions, Cas9 is not well‐suited for achieving a complete knockout of miRNA genes. By contrast, CRISPR‐Cas12a nuclease generates larger deletions, which could significantly disrupt

SummaryClass 2 Type V‐A CRISPR‐Cas (Cas12a) nucleases are powerful genome editing tools, particularly effective in A/T‐rich genomic regions, complementing the widely used CRISPR‐Cas9 in plants. To enhance the utility of Cas12a, we investigate three Cas12a orthologs—Mb3Cas12a, PrCas12a, and HkCas12a—in plants. Protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) requirements, editing efficiencies, and editing profiles

SummaryMonitoring and localizing molecules on living plants is critical for understanding their growth, development and disease. However, current techniques for molecular imaging of living plants often lack spatial information or require tedious pre‐labelling. Here, we proposed a novel molecular imaging platform that combines sliver nanowire‐doped Ti3C2 MXene (Ag NWs@MXene) flexible film substrate

SummaryDwarf plant architecture facilitates dense planting, and increased planting densities boost the maize yield. However, breeding applications of dwarfing materials for maize are currently limited. There is an urgent need remove the obstacles to applying dwarf resources. Here, we innovated a new method to add a novel maize dwarf germplasm through the distant hybridization of Maize–Tripsacum–Teosinte

SummaryTetraspanins (TETs) are integral membrane proteins, characterized by four transmembrane domains and a unique signature motif in their large extracellular loop. They form dynamic supramolecular complexes called tetraspanin‐enriched microdomains (TEMs), through interactions with partner proteins. In plants, TETs are involved in development, reproduction and immune responses, but their role in

Transposable elements (TEs) contribute to gene regulation and phenotypic diversity in plants. Miniature inverted-repeat TEs (MITEs) are short, non-autonomous DNA transposons (100–800 bp) that are numerically the most abundant TEs in the rice genome, and tightly associated with at least 58% of rice genes (Lu et al., 2017). MITEs have been shown to be a major driver of gene expression changes (Castanera

SummaryTerpene synthases (TPSs) are key enzymes in terpenoids synthesis of plants and play crucial roles in regulating plant defence against pests and diseases. Here, we report the functional characterization of OsTPS19 and OsTPS20, which were upregulated by the attack of brown planthopper (BPH). BPH female adults performed concentration‐dependent behavioural responses to (S)‐limonene showing preference

Inserting molecular marker sequences in living plant cells for protein labeling is a great challenge in functional genomic research. We established a simple and easy-to-use tag insertion method using an ePE2 system and Genome editing with Reverse transcription templates (RTTs) partially Aligned to each other but Nonhomologous to target sequences within Duo pegRNA (GRAND) strategy (Li et al., 2023;

SummaryDrought is a critical issue in modern agriculture; therefore, there is a need to create crops with drought resilience. The complexity of plant responses to abiotic stresses, particularly in the field of brassinosteroid (BR) signalling, has been the subject of extensive research. In this study, we unveil compelling insights indicating that the BRASSINOSTEROID‐INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) receptor in

SummaryThe endeavour to elevate the nutritional value of oat (Avena sativa) by altering the oil composition and content positions it as an optimal crop for fostering human health and animal feed. However, optimization of oil traits on oat through conventional breeding is challenging due to its quantitative nature and complexity of the oat genome. We introduced two constructs containing three key genes

It is well known that the overall quality of japonica/geng rice is superior to that of indica/xian rice varieties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the quality disparities between these two subspecies of rice are still largely unknown. In this study, we have pinpointed a gene homologous to SLR1, termed LCG1, exhibiting significant expression during early caryopsis development and playing

Peach (Prunus persica L.), a deciduous fruit tree in the Rosaceae family, is widely cultivated around the world. The release of the peach genome which significantly propelled the progress of gene mapping (Lian et al., 2022; Verde et al., 2013; Zhou et al., 2023). However, the existing peach genomes all contain multiple gaps (Table S1), which may lead to inaccurate gene annotation or gene mapping (Zhou

Phosphatidic acid (PA) is considered a second messenger that interacts with protein kinases, phosphatases and NADPH oxidases (Kong et al., 2024), amplifying the signal to initiate plant defence responses (Li and Wang, 2019). In rice, mutation of RBL1 causes the accumulation of PA, enhancing multipathogen resistance (Sha et al., 2023). In our previous study, we attempted to rescue rbl1 mutant by overexpressing

Weed species have increasingly emerged with resistance against previously effective herbicides, such as glyphosate and inhibitors of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) and acetolactate synthase (ALS) (Heap, 2024). Owing to its novel mode of action, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibitors are effective in controlling herbicide-resistant weeds and recently attracted much attention.

Kernel row number (KRN) is a major yield related trait for maize (Zea mays L.) and is also a major goal of breeders, as it can increase the number of kernels per plant. Thus, identifying new genetic factors involving in KRN formation may accelerate improving yield-related traits genetically. We herein describe a new kernel number-related gene (KRN5b) identified from KRN QTL qKRN5b and encoding an inositol

Cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa, 2n = 8x = 56) is an important horticultural crop with substantial economic and nutritional value. The improvement of cultivated strawberry is more challenging not only in its octoploid genome but also in the frequent homoeologous exchanges and polyploidization, which replaces substantial portions of some subgenomes with sequences derived from ancestrally

SummaryAegilops umbellulata serve as an important reservoir for novel biotic and abiotic stress tolerance for wheat improvement. However, chromosomal rearrangements and evolutionary trajectory of this species remain to be elucidated. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation into Ae. umbellulata genome by generating a high‐quality near telomere‐to‐telomere genome assembly of PI 554389 and resequencing

SummaryMicroRNA827 (miR827) is functionally conserved among different plant species and displays species‐specific characteristics, but the mechanisms by which miR827 regulates phosphate (Pi) starvation tolerance and maize development remain elusive. We found that miR827 selectively targets the Pi transporter genes SPX‐MFS1 and SPX‐MFS5. miR827 overexpression improved the Pi starvation tolerance, plant

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is popular source of plant-derived low/no-calorie natural sweeteners (LNCSs), collectively known as steviol glycosides (SGs). Nevertheless, genetic predisposition for targeted biosynthesis of SGs is complex due to multi-substrate functionality of key uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Here, we created a high-quality monoploid assembly of 1.34 Gb with N50 value

Vitamin D is a lipid-soluble sterol that plays an essential role in human health. Deficiency of this vitamin increases the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, infectious disease, diabetes and cancer. Vitamin D exists in two major forms: vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), mainly found in animal food source, and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), typically present in sundried and ultraviolet-B

The cotton genus comprises both diploid and allotetraploid species, and the diversity in petal colour within this genus offers valuable targets for studying orthologous gene function differentiation and evolution. However, the genetic basis for this diversity in petal colour remains largely unknown. The red petal colour primarily comes from C, G, K, and D genome species, and it is likely that the common

SummaryVernalization and photoperiod pathways converging at FT1 control the transition to flowering in wheat. Here, we identified a gain‐of‐function mutation in FT‐D1 that results in earlier heading date (HD), and shorter plant height and spike length in the gamma ray‐induced eh1 wheat mutant. Knockout of the wild‐type and overexpression of the mutated FT‐D1 indicate that both alleles are functional

Tomato is the most widely consumed fruit and vegetable crop in the world, serving as an important source of micronutrients in human diet (Zhu et al., 2018). The impact of sugar on the taste of tomato fruits is generally estimated by determining their total soluble solids (TSS) accumulation (Kader, 2008), therefore, the determination of TSS is responsible for the fruit quality of tomato designed for

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple food supply for over half of the global population. Various phytopathogens including viruses pose a significant threat to rice yield and quality. Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), belonged to the genus Fijivirus, family Reoviridae, has become a major virus species leading to substantial crop losses in Asian nations (Zhang et al., 2023). Traditional breeding

Gene copy number is crucial for understanding genomic architecture and its implications in plant and animal genetics (Alonge et al., 2020; Castagnone-Sereno et al., 2019). In agriculture, variations in gene copy number (CNVs) are vital as they affect yield, stress resistance and metabolic capabilities (Yuan et al., 2021). Transgenesis, involving the introduction of foreign DNA into plant genomes, has

SummaryPlants offer a promising chassis for the large‐scale, cost‐effective production of diverse therapeutics, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, key advances will reduce production costs, including simplifying the downstream processing and purification steps. Here, using Nicotiana benthamiana plants, we present an improved modular design that enables AMPs to be secreted via the endomembrane