Vitamin metabolism in plants: from B-vitamin biology to crop improvement

Abstract

Plant biology holds the potential to assist in addressing the global problem of malnutrition, together with other nutritional interventions. Molecular biology techniques establishing crop improvements continue to provide means to combat the occurrence of micronutrient deficiencies in the human population, which is often referred to as the ‘hidden hunger’. Acquiring adequate understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying plant vitamin biosynthesis and the regulation thereof are pivotal in shaping genetic engineering approaches aimed at enhancing vitamin levels in plants. Such metabolic engineering endeavors can increase the nutritional value of edible portions of massively consumed staple crops such as rice and po tato. However, challenges remain in understanding factors influencing vitamin accumulation and (storage) stability in the targeted tissues and their impact on plant growth and development. Moreover, to enable implementation, biofortification strategies aimed at enhancing vitamin levels, need to adjust to the changing environment of policy and regulations as well as public perception. Acquisition of fundamental knowledge on plant vitamin metabolism remains an essential resource fueling future biofortification strategies, thereby contributing to global food security.

Background

Simon Strobbe is a molecular biologist with a specific interest in crop improvement to address our current and future agronomical challenges, including crop nutritional properties as well as stress resilience, yield and last but not least, sustainability.

In his research on plant vitamins, in the Lab of Functional Plant Biology, led by Prof. Dominique Van Der Straeten at UGent, h e was able to significantly enhance levels of folates (vitamin B9) in rice and potato as well as demonstrate thiamin (vitamin B1) accumulation in rice. His research strengthened our knowledge in the field of crop biofortification, which involves enrichment of the natural occurring micronutrient levels in the edible portions of crops. In doing so, he provides both fundamental knowledge as well as advocates for the increased deployment of nutritional enhanced crops, which helps in combatting global (micronutrient) malnourishment in a sustainable way.

Dr. Simon Strobbe is currently working on exploring the role of B-vitamins in plant-microbe interactions in the Vitamins & Environmental Stress Responses in Plants lab, led by Prof. Teresa B. Fitzpatrick at University of Geneva.