Understanding and harnessing plant functions for next-generation food resource development

Plants are indispensable food resources for humans and also provide a wide range of benefits to society as renewable biomass resources. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies, including next-generation sequencing, have accelerated the accumulation of genomic information across diverse plant species. In addition, advance in omics analyses and imaging technologies have greatly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying plant physiological responses. These advances facilitated the enhancement of plant traits through genetic improvement, cell engineering, and advanced cultivation technologies, thereby contributing to stable food production and increased biomass productivity. In this review, we present two case studies: (1) genetic and cellular analyses of the red alga Pyropia yezoensis aimed at achieving the nori stable production, and (2) cellular engineering approaches to produce galactomannan, a thickening polysaccharide derived from the leguminous tree Ceratonia siliqua. Through these studies, we discuss the potential for next-generation food resource development by elucidating and utilizing the molecular mechanisms underlying agronomically important plant traits.