Next-generation genomics has provided direct access to the genes and gene families by decoding the genomes of crop plants. With the advent of high-throughput genome sequencing platforms, several plant genomes have been sequenced, and the data is available in public repositories. This has enabled the researchers to identify the members of candidate gene families using in silico tools and characterize them using functional genomic approaches to delineate their precise roles in stress response.
These studies have proven to be useful in both basic and applied research. In basic research, studies on gene families have provided insights into understanding the molecular function of each gene in conferring resistance or tolerance to environmental stresses. In applied research, such studies have identified candidate genes that could be targeted through transgenic or genome-editing approaches to enhance tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
The onus of feeding 10 billion people by 2050 lies in agriculture. Myriad environmental stresses compounded by climate change further burden agriculture. This accentuates the need for identifying and characterizing novel genes and gene families that can be deployed in crop improvement programs using advanced biotechnological tools. Reports on genome-wide and transcriptome-wide identification of gene families and their further characterization are on the rise. However, the knowledge disseminated through these reports is not cumulated for the betterment of the global research community.
Considering this, our research topic is proposed to attract researchers working on dissecting complex gene families to understand their structure, organization, evolution, and molecular function during environmental perturbations under natural and simulated conditions. Researchers working in this area are welcome to contribute their research, review, opinions, and perspective articles.
Next-generation genomics has provided direct access to the genes and gene families by decoding the genomes of crop plants. With the advent of high-throughput genome sequencing platforms, several plant genomes have been sequenced, and the data is available in public repositories. This has enabled the researchers to identify the members of candidate gene families using in silico tools and characterize them using functional genomic approaches to delineate their precise roles in stress response.
These studies have proven to be useful in both basic and applied research. In basic research, studies on gene families have provided insights into understanding the molecular function of each gene in conferring resistance or tolerance to environmental stresses. In applied research, such studies have identified candidate genes that could be targeted through transgenic or genome-editing approaches to enhance tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
The onus of feeding 10 billion people by 2050 lies in agriculture. Myriad environmental stresses compounded by climate change further burden agriculture. This accentuates the need for identifying and characterizing novel genes and gene families that can be deployed in crop improvement programs using advanced biotechnological tools. Reports on genome-wide and transcriptome-wide identification of gene families and their further characterization are on the rise. However, the knowledge disseminated through these reports is not cumulated for the betterment of the global research community.
Considering this, our research topic is proposed to attract researchers working on dissecting complex gene families to understand their structure, organization, evolution, and molecular function during environmental perturbations under natural and simulated conditions. Researchers working in this area are welcome to contribute their research, review, opinions, and perspective articles.
