Scholarlink

<p>Duckweeds (<i>Lemnaceae</i>), the smallest and fastest-growing flowering plants, have emerged as a transformative platform for sustainable biotechnology. This review synthesizes recent advances that underpin their potential as a next-generation plant chassis. We discuss duckweed's unique biology, characterized by reductive evolution, extreme phenotypic plasticity, and a simplified epigenome that favors transgene expression. The decoding of its minimalist genome, along with the establishment of efficient genetic tools including optimized transformation and CRISPR-Cas9 editing, enables precise genetic and metabolic engineering. While traditional uses in phytoremediation and animal feed validate its utility, duckweed's rapid growth in contained, soil-free culture and its edibility offer distinct advantages for molecular farming over established systems like tobacco. We highlight progress in engineering duckweeds to produce vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and high-value metabolites. To transition from proof-of-concept to an industrial workhorse, future efforts must focus on integrated omics databases, universal genetic toolkits, and scalable cultivation. Converging fundamental insights with synthetic biology principles positions duckweed as a versatile and powerful chassis for the bioeconomy.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Duckweeds: from fundamental biology to a sustainable plant chassis for biotechnology

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月16日

查看全文
  • Gui-Min Yin,
  • Lin Yang,
  • Sha Li,
  • Yan Zhang

摘要

Duckweeds (Lemnaceae), the smallest and fastest-growing flowering plants, have emerged as a transformative platform for sustainable biotechnology. This review synthesizes recent advances that underpin their potential as a next-generation plant chassis. We discuss duckweed's unique biology, characterized by reductive evolution, extreme phenotypic plasticity, and a simplified epigenome that favors transgene expression. The decoding of its minimalist genome, along with the establishment of efficient genetic tools including optimized transformation and CRISPR-Cas9 editing, enables precise genetic and metabolic engineering. While traditional uses in phytoremediation and animal feed validate its utility, duckweed's rapid growth in contained, soil-free culture and its edibility offer distinct advantages for molecular farming over established systems like tobacco. We highlight progress in engineering duckweeds to produce vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and high-value metabolites. To transition from proof-of-concept to an industrial workhorse, future efforts must focus on integrated omics databases, universal genetic toolkits, and scalable cultivation. Converging fundamental insights with synthetic biology principles positions duckweed as a versatile and powerful chassis for the bioeconomy.