Challenges of translating Arabidopsis insights into crops

Abstract

The significance of research conducted on Arabidopsis thaliana cannot be overstated. This focus issueshowcases how insights from Arabidopsis have opened new areas of biology anddirectly advanced our understanding of crops. Here, experts intimately involvedin bridging between Arabidopsis and crops share their perspectives on thechallenges and opportunities for translation. First, we examine the translatabilityof genetic modules from Arabidopsis into maize, emphasizing the need to publishwell-executed translational experiments, regardless of outcome. Second, wehighlight the landmark success of HB4, the first GM wheat cultivar on themarket, whose abiotic tolerance is borne from direct translation and based onstrategies first outlined in Arabidopsis. Third, we discuss the decades-longjourney to engineer oilseed crops capable of producing omega-3 fish oils, withArabidopsis serving as a critical intermediary. Fourth, we explore how directtranslation of starch synthesizing proteins characterised in Arabidopsis helped uncover novel mechanismsand functions in crops, with potential valuable applications. Finally, weillustrate how shared molecular factors between Arabidopsis and barley exhibitdistinct molecular wiring as exemplified in cuticular and stomatal development.Together, these vignettes underscore the pivotal role of Arabidopsis as afoundational model plant while highlighting the challenges of translatingdiscoveries into field-ready, commercial cultivars with enhancedknowledge-based traits.