The advancement and incisive application of big-data “omic” technologies are occurring at breakneck speed to resolve long-standing challenges/bottlenecks in agricultural/medicinal plant biotechnology. Two examples are described here. First, poplar lines, genetically engineered and purposed for their potential as biofactories to produce fine/specialty/commodity chemicals, were subjected to multi-omics analyses. In one example, a biochemical pathway was introduced to produce the main component of rose oil, 2-phenylethanol. In this way, we can now readily meet the world’s demand for this natural product widely used as an aroma/flavor/fragrance. Untargeted metabolomics analyses provided new insight into the efficacy of these genetic manipulations. Secondly, combination of multi-omics datasets, MALDI imaging mass spectrometry/laser capture microdissection enabled identification of a new step in podophyllotoxin biosynthesis (used extensively in chemotherapy) in <i>Podophyllum</i> species, and unveiled an unknown biochemical pathway leading to an anxiolytic alkaloid biosynthetic pathway. These examples are used to demonstrate the potential of these rapidly advancing technologies.

Integrated advanced multi-omics strategies: A new paradigm for agricultural and medicinal plant biotechnology

250th National Meeting (2015)

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