Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2026, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (2): 1-0.DOI: 10.11983/CBB25170  cstr: 32102.14.CBB25170

   

Recent Advances in Molecular Tools for Plant Regeneration

Zijuan Li, Ning Zhai*, Lin Xu*   

  1. Key Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
  • Received:2025-09-24 Revised:2025-10-19 Online:2026-03-10 Published:2025-11-05
  • Contact: Ning Zhai, Lin Xu

Abstract: Totipotency and pluripotency of plant cells serve as the theoretical basis for plant regeneration, underpinning various techniques such as plant tissue culture, genetic transformation, cutting, and grafting. In recent years, advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant regeneration—particularly key transcription factors, hormonal signaling networks and epigenetic factors—have led to the development of a series of molecular tools capable of manipulating cell fate, offering new strategies to enhance regenerative capacity. This review summarizes the molecular and chemical tools that play central roles in four key regenerative processes: shoot regeneration, root regeneration, somatic embryogenesis, and grafting. It also discusses practical considerations such as delivery methods for these tools, selection of culture systems, and strategies for efficacy evaluation. Furthermore, the review explores future directions, including the rational combination of genetic and chemical tools to develop novel delivery systems and overcome epigenetic barriers, thereby providing theoretical and practical guidance for designing efficient regeneration protocols tailored to different species and regeneration objectives.

Key words: regenerative tools, plant cell totipotency, organ regeneration, somatic embryogenesis, genetic transformation