Recent progress in molecular genetics and omics-driven research in seed biology

Elucidating the mechanisms that control seed development, metabolism, and physiology is a fundamental issue in biology. Michel Caboche had long been a catalyst for seed biology research in France up until his untimely passing away last year. To honour his memory, we have updated a review written under his coordination in 2010 entitled Arabidopsis seed secrets unravelled after a decade of genetic and omics-driven research. This review encompassed different molecular aspects of seed development, reserve accumulation, dormancy and germination, that are studied in the lab created by M. Caboche. We have extended the scope of this review to highlight original experimental approaches implemented in the field over the past decade such as omics approaches aimed at investigating the control of gene expression, protein modifications, primary and specialized metabolites at the tissue or even cellular level, as well as seed biodiversity and the impact of the environment on seed quality.

Automated summary

This article introduces the research on the mechanisms controlling seed development, metabolism, and physiology, as well as the contributions of Michel Caboche in this field. By updating a review coordinated by Caboche, the review provides an overview of seed biology research and highlights the experimental methods and advancements in the past decade.