Development of phytochemical genomics: From decoding metabolome to functional genomics and biotechnology of plant metabolism.

Abstract

A characteristic feature of plants is their ability to produce a vast array of metabolites, a trait shaped by their evolution into sessile organisms. Over the past three decades, I have contributed to the development of phytochemical genomics, a field that emerged during the genomic era. Our research group established advanced analytical platforms for plant metabolomics by integrating state-of-the-art instruments with informatics tools. By combining genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, we uncovered novel gene functions and identified new metabolites and gene-metabolite networks. Our study encompassed a broad spectrum of metabolites ranging from primary products, such as amino acids, sulfur-containing compounds, and lipids, to specialized (secondary) compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids. Initially, our focus was on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana; however, we later included crops such as rice and tomato, as well as medicinal plants. This review highlights the key aspects of my research journey.