Biology subjects

Wendenburg, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Wendenburg, R..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Multi-tissue metabolic GWAS and drought-responsive multi-omics reveal the genetic basis of the quinoa metabolome

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a nutrient-rich pseudocereal with diverse specialized metabolites, yet the genetic basis of this metabolic diversity is poorly understood. Here we integrate whole-genome sequencing and multi-tissue metabolic profiling of 603 quinoa accessions. We detected 4,688 metabolic features and identified over 1,000 metabolites in seeds, leaves, and roots. Using multi-tissue genome-wide association, we mapped the genetic architecture of quinoa metabolome by identifying 584 quantitative trait loci (QTL) and prioritized 219 candidate genes across 58 major QTL governing saponin, betalain, and flavonoid biosynthesis. Moreover, we constructed a drought-responsive multi-omics regulatory network and uncovered additional key genes involved in quinoa stress signalling and metabolic pathways. Finally, we cloned and functional validated the roles of CYP76AD1 in betalamate accumulation, UGT91C1 in flavonoid glycosylation, and CYP72A154 and soyasapogenol B glucuronide galactosyltransferase (SGT) in saponin biosynthesis. This multi-omic framework provides a high-resolution map of the quinoa metabolome and a foundation for breeding nutrient-rich and stress-resilient quinoa cultivars.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Multi-omic analysis reveals the genetic architecture of water-deficit stress in Phaseolus vulgaris

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important grain legumes for direct human consumption. Currently, 60% of its production is estimated to be at risk due to drought. However, the genetic basis of common beans drought resistance is poorly understood. To this end, we assessed the genetic architecture of drought-responsive changes in a whole genome-sequenced population of 218 common bean accessions. Using multi-omics-based trait evaluation, including lipidomics, photosynthetic and agronomic traits, followed by multi-omics genome-wide association studies (moGWAS), yielded in the detection of a myriad of moQTL for photosynthesis and yield, as well as the levels of various lipids. QTL associated with glycolipids, which are integral to photosynthesis, since they constitute the major membrane components of chloroplasts, were identified. In addition, we molecularly validated several lipid-related candidate genes via P. vulgaris hairy root transformation as well as transient expression in tobacco. In particular, a lipoxygenase and an allene oxide synthase were identified as explaining the variation in triacylglycerol by oxylipin production. These data provide a blueprint for multi-omics-assisted improvement of crop water stress resilience.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Metabolite-based genome-wide association studies enable the dissection of the genetic bases of bioactive compounds in Chickpea seeds

Chickpea, is the second most consumed food legume, and significantly contributes to the human diet. Chickpea seeds are rich in a wide range of metabolites including bioactive specialized metabolites influencing nutritional qualities and human health. However, the genetic basis underlying the metabolite-based nutrient quality in chickpea remains poorly understood. Here we dissected the genetic architecture of seed metabolic diversity and explored how domestication shaped the chickpea metabolome. Through UPLC-MS we quantify over 3400 metabolic features in 509 chickpea seeds accessions from three independent multi-location field trials. The metabolite genome-wide association study (mGWAS) detected around 130,000 leading SNPs corresponding to 1890 metabolites across different environments. We further found and functionally validated a gene cluster of three CabHLH transcription factors that regulate soyasaponin biosynthesis in chickpea seeds. Our results reveal new insights on the effects of domestication process on chickpea metabolome. and provide valuable resources for the genetic improvement of the bioactive compounds in chickpea seeds.

plant biology↗