Review. Brachypodium: A monocot grass model system for plant biology (Plant Cell)

Brachypodium distachyon is an annual C3 grass that has become an important model species. Scholthof et al. review the genetic tools and resources (sequences and mutants) as well as robust protocols for transformation that have been developed for it. The presence of wild and perennial species within the Brachypodium genus provides additional value. The authors summarize some of the hot topics being addressed through this model organism, including  monocot cell wall biochemistry and biofuel production, control of flowering time, root biology, and abiotic and biotic stress responses (usefully, a list of microbes and invertebrates that affect Brachypodium is given). The article also provides links to the relevant resource websites and databases. (Summary by Mary Williams) Plant Cell 10.1105/tpc.18.00083