Transcriptional analysis and functional genomics in wheat

In the post-genomic era the development of tools such as transcription microarrays allows the investigation of the molecular basis and regulation of plant growth, development and physiology in ever increasing detail. Systems such as the 'model' plant species Arabidopsis offer the opportunity to develop generalised models for complex genetic regulatory networks. However, researchers will need to apply tools to both monitor and alter gene expression in crop plants such as wheat to produce sophisticated and predictive models of development and environmental interactions. Such models will allow crops to be developed which are increasingly adapted to the needs of agriculture in the 21st century. In this paper some of the tools that have been developed both in wheat and other plants for high throughput transcriptional analysis are described. The key strengths and weaknesses of application of these technologies to different aspects of wheat research are discussed. Potential approaches for the high throughput modification of gene expression for functional genomics in wheat are discussed and the specific challenges posed by wheat and what can be learnt from model species considered.