Engineering central metabolism - a grand challenge for plant biologists

摘要: The goal of increasing crop productivity and nutrient-use efficiency is being addressed by a number ambitious research projects seeking to re-engineer photosynthetic biochemistry. Many these will require the engineering substantial changes in fluxes central metabolism. However, as has been amply demonstrated simpler systems such microbes, metabolism extremely difficult rationally engineer. This because multiple layers regulation that operate maintain metabolic steady state highly connected nature In this review we discuss new approaches for have potential address problems dramatically improve success with which can engineer plants. particular, advocate adoption an iterative ‘design-build-test-learn’ cycle using fast-to-transform model plants test beds. approach be realised coupling molecular tools incorporate transgenes nuclear plastid genomes computational modelling design strategy understand phenotype engineered organism. We also envisage mutagenesis could used fine-tune balance between endogenous network introduced enzymes. Finally, emphasise importance considering plant whole system not isolated organs: greatest increase achieved if both source sink are engineered.