2024/12/17 by Núria S. Coll, Miguel Á. Moreno-Risueno, Lucia C. Strader +2 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Plant nutrient uptake and metabolism #Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics #Soil Moisture and Remote Sensing
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/plphys/kiae605
openalex publication_date 2024/12/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Understanding root development is critical for enhancing plant growth and health, and advanced technologies are essential for unraveling the complexities of these processes. In this review, we highlight select technological innovations in the study of root development, with a focus on the transformative impact of single-cell gene expression analysis. We provide a high-level overview of recent advancements, illustrating how single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has become a pivotal tool in plant biology. scRNA-seq has revolutionized root biology by enabling detailed, cell-specific analysis of gene expression. This has allowed researchers to create comprehensive root atlases, predict cell development, and map gene regulatory networks (GRNs) with unprecedented precision. Complementary technologies, such as multimodal profiling and bioinformatics, further enrich our understanding of cellular dynamics and gene interactions. Innovations in imaging and modeling, combined with genetic tools like CRISPR, continue to deepen our knowledge of root formation and function. Moreover, the integration of these technologies with advanced biosensors and microfluidic devices has advanced our ability to study plant-microbe interactions and phytohormone signaling at high resolution. These tools collectively provide a more comprehensive understanding of root system architecture and its regulation by environmental factors. As these technologies evolve, they promise to drive further breakthroughs in plant science, with substantial implications for agriculture and sustainability.