Solanaceae Biology: From Genetics to Metabolism

Dear Colleagues,

The Solanaceae, also known as the nightshade family, is one of the largest and most diverse plant families, comprising over 3000 species across 90 genera. This family includes a wide range of economically important plants, such as agricultural crops (tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants), medicinal plants (belladonna, datura, and henbane), spices (chili peppers), and ornamental plants (petunias and cupflowers). The remarkable diversity within this family provides a great research system for plant biologists, horticulturists, and researchers in various fields. Several plants within the nightshade family have emerged as model organisms for plant biology studies at the molecular and genetic levels. Tomato, tobacco, and petunia are among the most extensively studied species, providing valuable insights into plant development, physiology, and genetics. Despite their similar genetic backgrounds, plants in the nightshade family produce a vast array of specialized metabolites, many of which have been developed for medicinal use. Nicotine, found in tobacco, and tropane alkaloids derived from plants such as belladonna and datura are notable examples of these metabolites. The diverse chemical compositions of Solanaceae plants have sparked interest in exploring their potential for drug discovery and the development of novel pharmaceutical compounds. Until today, many plants in the nightshade family remain understudied, representing a vast resource for human exploration and potential utilization in various fields, such as agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.

For this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles, reviews, short notes, or opinion articles exploring the genetics, biochemistry, and metabolism of this fascinating plant family. Topics may include, but are not limited to, comparative omics studies, novel compound discovery, metabolic pathway elucidation, plant–environment interactions, and crop improvement. We aim to bring together a diverse collection of research findings that will enhance our understanding of Solanaceae biology for future innovations.

Dr. Pengxiang Fan
Guest Editor

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