Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) play pivotal roles in defense against abiotic and biotic stresses, redox homeostasis, and ecological interactions. Their biosynthesis and regulation involve complex molecular networks influenced by genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors. Recent advances in multi-omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and bioinformatics have accelerated the discovery of key pathways and regulatory nodes, yet gaps remain in understanding their dynamic modulation under stress and potential for biotechnological exploitation. This Research Topic aims to integrate cutting-edge physiological, biochemical, and omics-driven insights into PSM regulation, stress adaptation, and metabolic engineering.This Research Topic seeks to unravel the mechanistic basis of PSM biosynthesis, transport, and function under stress, leveraging high-throughput technologies and computational tools. We encourage studies dissecting transcriptional, post-translational, and redox-based regulation of PSMs, as well as their roles in antioxidant systems. Contributions may explore metabolic engineering (e.g., overexpression, CRISPR-based modifications) to enhance stress resilience or metabolite yields. By bridging traditional physiology with modern omics, this collection will advance translational applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable biotechnology.We welcome original research, reviews, and methodological papers addressing:• Molecular regulation of PSM pathways (e.g., transcription factors, epigenetic control, signaling cascades).• Physiological and biochemical dynamics: Enzyme kinetics, metabolic flux analysis, and tissue-specific PSM accumulation under stress.• Stress-responsive PSMs: Crosstalk between abiotic and biotic stress signaling, and their integrated effects on redox metabolism under single or combined stress conditions.• Multi-omics approaches: Integration of bioinformatics, machine learning, and systems biology in PSM research.• Biotechnological innovations: Metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and heterologous expression for PSM production.
Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) play pivotal roles in defense against abiotic and biotic stresses, redox homeostasis, and ecological interactions. Their biosynthesis and regulation involve complex molecular networks influenced by genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors. Recent advances in multi-omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and bioinformatics have accelerated the discovery of key pathways and regulatory nodes, yet gaps remain in understanding their dynamic modulation under stress and potential for biotechnological exploitation. This Research Topic aims to integrate cutting-edge physiological, biochemical, and omics-driven insights into PSM regulation, stress adaptation, and metabolic engineering.This Research Topic seeks to unravel the mechanistic basis of PSM biosynthesis, transport, and function under stress, leveraging high-throughput technologies and computational tools. We encourage studies dissecting transcriptional, post-translational, and redox-based regulation of PSMs, as well as their roles in antioxidant systems. Contributions may explore metabolic engineering (e.g., overexpression, CRISPR-based modifications) to enhance stress resilience or metabolite yields. By bridging traditional physiology with modern omics, this collection will advance translational applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable biotechnology.We welcome original research, reviews, and methodological papers addressing:• Molecular regulation of PSM pathways (e.g., transcription factors, epigenetic control, signaling cascades).• Physiological and biochemical dynamics: Enzyme kinetics, metabolic flux analysis, and tissue-specific PSM accumulation under stress.• Stress-responsive PSMs: Crosstalk between abiotic and biotic stress signaling, and their integrated effects on redox metabolism under single or combined stress conditions.• Multi-omics approaches: Integration of bioinformatics, machine learning, and systems biology in PSM research.• Biotechnological innovations: Metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and heterologous expression for PSM production.