Advances in Plant Functional Genomics
The rapid advancements in plant functional genomics have revolutionized our understanding of plant biology, enabling researchers to decode the intricate genetic networks that regulate plant growth, development, and stress responses. With the growing need to address global challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agriculture, plant functional genomics has become a pivotal field driving the development of innovative solutions.
The special issue, Advances in Plant Functional Genomics, aims to provide a platform for cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews on the latest developments in this domain. We invite contributions that explore high-throughput functional genomics approaches, and forward and reverse genetics research in various crops, summarize critical advancements and emerging technologies in plant functional genomics, including high-throughput gene function analysis and comprehensive assessments of genetic transformation methods, and showcase the development and application of transformation systems in diverse crops, highlighting their potential for improving crop traits and understanding functional genomics.
This special issue is open to researchers worldwide and seeks to bring together a diverse collection of innovative studies and insights that advance our understanding of plant functional genomics. We welcome submissions that align with the themes outlined above and encourage interdisciplinary perspectives. Through this special issue, we aim to foster collaboration and inspire new directions in the rapidly evolving field of plant functional genomics.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• High-throughput functional genomics technologies and their applications in plant research.
• Genetic manipulation applied in different plant species.
• Case studies on the development and optimization of genetic transformation systems in crops.
• Gene-editing advancements for studying plant gene function and engineering agronomically important traits.
• Applications of functional genomics in addressing abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants.
• Generation and application of novel mutants for plant functional genomics studies.
Guest Editors
Prof. Qijun Chen (College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University)
Dr. Fan Li (Floriculture Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences)
Deadline
The deadline for manuscript submissions is December 31, 2025, but we can accommodate extensions on a case-by-case basis. All papers will be published as open-access articles upon acceptance.
Submission Instructions
Please submit the full manuscript to Agrobiodiversity via our Submission System. Additionally, please choose a topic of this special issue when submitting and mention it in your cover letter. For further inquiries, please contact Guest Editors and Editorial Office:
Prof. Qijun Chen (qjchen@cau.edu.cn)
Dr. Fan Li (lifanla@foxmail.com)
Editorial Office (abd@maxapress.com)
Habitat Diversity in Meri Snow Mountain
Meri Snow Mountain ascends as a mosaic of life, its slopes etched with distinct ecological zones that cradle a symphony of habitats. At its crown, glacial peaks pierce the sky, where ice and rock harbor extremophiles like cushion plants and glacial mosses, thriving in sub-zero temperatures. Descending, the alpine tundra unfolds—a stark realm of lichen-clad boulders and hardy grasses, punctuated by bursts of Saussurea gossypiphora (snow lotus), whose woolly blooms defy the thin, frigid air. Beneath this lies the cloud forest, a mist-shrouded sanctuary where ancient rhododendrons twist into arboreal giants, their canopies dripping with epiphytes. Here, rare orchids cling to mossy branches, and the endangered red panda forages in the damp understory. Transitioning lower, temperate meadows erupt in seasonal spectacle: carpets of primulas, gentians, and irises draw pollinators like the Himalayan honeybee, while golden eagles circle overhead. The mountain’s base transitions to subtropical valleys, where roaring rivers nourish dense juniper and oak forests. These woodlands shelter cryptic species like the Mishmi takin and the vibrant Lady Amherst’s pheasant, their calls echoing through bamboo groves. Each habitat is a thread in Meri’s ecological tapestry, shaped by millennia of geological shifts and climatic dance. As a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot, Meri Snow Mountain exemplifies nature’s layered ingenuity. This image captures its vertical journey—from icy summits to lush lowlands—a reminder that habitat diversity is not just life’s cradle, but its enduring legacy.
