Entries by Thomas Depaepe

PCMD: an interactive library for comparative metabolomics studies

Albert Einstein once said, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” Libraries house vast troves of information for readers to explore, analyze, and use. With the exponential increase in data, libraries have also evolved into digital databases and online platforms. For example, large-scale omics studies yield tremendous […]

Review: Genetically modified crops and their multifaceted impact on the environment

The development of genetically modified (GM) crops aims to improve agricultural yields in the field. However, their incorporation into agricultural systems is complex, as regulations and acceptance vary globally. While some countries embrace GM crops with herbicide and insect resistance traits, others remain cautious due to concerns about environmental and societal impacts. A recent review […]

Single cell transcriptomics aids gene discovery of complex natural product biosynthesis

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 […]

New kid on the plant block: Single-cell proteomics

While single-cell omics technologies, particularly transcriptomics, are already becoming widely adopted in plant science, quantifying proteins at single cell resolution is less established. Fortunately, important technological strides have been made that improve sample preparation, separation techniques, and overall sensitivity and resolution to make single cell proteomics (SCP) possible. Montes et al. have recently developed a […]

Plant rheostat BAP2 determines the direction of ER stress tolerance mechanisms

When protein folding is disrupted by abiotic or biotic stresses, cells can experience ER stress. Sensors like inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) detect this stress, triggering the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. UPR signaling activates genes that restore proteostasis and maintain cellular vitality. However, under chronic ER stress, a pro-death strategy is initiated, leading to programmed […]

Beat the heat with TWA1, a novel thermosensor in plants

Optimal temperatures for growth and development vary between plant species, making accurate temperature sensing crucial for their fitness. The search for molecular mechanisms underlying temperature signaling suggests that a single temperature sensor likely does not exist in plants. Instead, plants possess a variety of thermosensors, including photosensing-related proteins, RNA thermosensors, and even thermosensitive plasma membranes. […]

Alone or together: BRI1 signaling controls root growth in a cell-autonomous manner

Root growth is controlled by a dense network of hormone signals working in shared and distinct root zones and cell types. Brassinosteroids (BR) control root growth through activated signaling in vascular and epidermal tissues, but it is unclear how BR signals in each tissue contribute and whether there are cell non-autonomous effects. Using transgenic lines […]

NAPstars: the new stars of the redox imaging toolbox!

Redox reactions are an integral part of cellular metabolism and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate or NADP is an essential component due to its capacity to be oxidized or reduced. To get a better understanding of cellular redox homeostasis, precise quantification and visualization of NADP redox states is vital. Despite the availability of biosensors for hydrogen […]