From an ancient Greek cure-all to a modern treatment for mild depression, Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) is a fascinating weed. Its leaves and flowers produce hyperforin, a metabolite derived from the isoprenoid pathway, which acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Despite partial genome and transcriptome data, the later steps in its biosynthesis pathway remain […]
Ferns are important and diverse land plants but are also known for their exceptionally large genomes. A new study by Ali et al. presents an extensive analysis of fern genomics through RNA-sequencing of 22 representative fern species. The study identified 18 whole-genome duplications across different fern lineages, contributing to their high chromosome numbers and species […]
Natural rubber, primarily derived from Hevea brasiliensis, is an essential global resource, but its production threatened by environmental changes and pest pressures. Fang et al. examined genome assemblies from eight high-quality Hevea accessions comprising different species. The results show unexpected levels of gene transfer between wild and cultivated types, implying insufficient reproductive isolation. This suggests […]
Rhizosphere interactions between plants and microbes are essential for nitrogen cycling, stress tolerance, and plant health in general. Metabolites secreted by plant roots can greatly influence microbial community composition, although how different environmental conditions impact these interactions is not fully understood. Baker et al. investigated how rhizosphere metabolites affect microbial groups in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) […]