Gene regulatory networks in abiotic stress responses via single-cell sequencing and spatial technologies: Advances and opportunities

Understanding intricate gene regulatory networks (GRNs) orchestrating responses to abiotic stresses is crucial for enhancing climate resilience in crop plants. Recent advancements in single-cell and spatial technologies have revolutionized our ability to dissect the GRNs at unprecedented resolution. Here, we explore the progress, challenges, and opportunities these state-of-the-art technologies offer in delineating the cellular intricacies of plant responses to abiotic stress. Using scRNA-seq, the transcriptome landscape of individual plant cells along with their lineages and regulatory interactions can be unraveled. Moreover, coupling scRNA-seq with spatial transcriptomics provides spatially resolved gene expression and insights into cell-to-cell interactions. In addition, the chromatin accessibility assays can discover the regulatory regions governing abiotic stress responses. An integrated multi-omics approach can facilitate discovery of cell-type-specific GRNs to reveal the key components that coordinate adaptive responses to different stresses. These potential regulatory factors can be harnessed for genetic engineering to enhance stress resilience in crop plants.