Omics and System Biology Approaches for Delivering Better Cereals

Cereals like wheat, rice, maize, and barley have long been the dominant crops in agriculture, providing a significant portion of our food supply. Plant breeders and geneticists have always been interested in improving the yield and quality of cereals. The primary challenges in cereal breeding lie in adapting to climate change and enhancing yield and stress tolerance. In recent years, omics approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have emerged as valuable tools to understand the genetic and molecular basis of cereal development under optimum and stress conditions. However, studying individual datasets for different cereals has limited our comprehensive understanding of complex traits and biological networks. To overcome this limitation, a systems biology approach is necessary. Systems biology integrates multiple omics data, modeling, and cell activity prediction to gain a holistic understanding of biological processes. By considering the whole system and its interactions, rather than isolated components, researchers can develop predictive models and even re-engineer cells. In the context of cereal improvement, systems biology can play a crucial role in identifying and introducing desirable traits such as yield, quality, and stress tolerance. It may help researchers uncover the molecular underpinnings of complex traits and offer insights for enhancing cereals on a national and international scale.

The book explores available omics resources, the integration of multi-omics data, and systems biology methods, focusing on their applications in cereals breeding and research. It highlights current and innovative strategies to understand complex traits, improve yield, and enhance resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with modeling multi-omics data and analyzing systems-level information. By leveraging systems biology and integrated omics research, this book aims to redefine the future research agenda for cereal improvement.