Tea is the second most consumed non-alcoholic beverage, right after water. Tea is prepared from the delicate shoots of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The rich flavor and health-promoting properties provided by the large amounts and abundant secondary metabolites in tea leaves are the reason for the popularity of teas. Catechins, theanine, caffeine, volatiles and their derivatives are the most important and prominent secondary metabolites for tea quality.

Sustainability of tea production is currently challenged by climate change and excessive use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Tea plants synthesize secondary metabolites to survive under various stresses such as extreme temperature, UV radiation, drought, nutrient deficiency, pathogen infection and herbivore feeding. Accumulation of secondary metabolites is due to dynamic biosynthesis, storage, transport and biodegradation. These processes are developmentally and ecologically controlled.

Significant progress has been made in deciphering molecular basis of secondary metabolism in tea plants. However, the metabolic pathways, regulation and functions of these secondary metabolites are far from being fully understood. This research topic aims to gather contributions in the storage, transport and signal transduction of tea plant metabolites. We welcome submissions of original research papers, reviews, and methods, including (but not limited to) research on the following sub-themes:
- Novel metabolic pathways of secondary metabolites and functional genes involved;
- Intracellular transport and long-distance transport of secondary metabolites;
- Imaging the dynamic distribution of secondary metabolites at the tissue or cellular level;
- Dynamic regulation of secondary metabolism in response to abiotic/biotic stresses and developmental factors;
- Role of secondary metabolites in development, stress resistance, plant-pathogen and plant-herbivory interactions;
- Agricultural applications of secondary metabolites in sustainable tea production.

Disclaimer: We welcome submissions of different types of related manuscripts, but descriptive studies lacking significant biological advances or studies focusing on pharmaceutical function would be rejected without peer review.

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