Transcript and metabolite profiling in cell cultures of 18 plant species that produce benzylisoquinoline alkaloids

► We established EST and metabolomics resources for 18 alkaloid-accumulating cell cultures. ► Our EST libraries contain ∼3500 unigenes per species for a total of 58,787 unigenes. ► More than 250 putative biosynthetic gene candidates were identified with potential functions. ► Mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify 72 alkaloids. ► Metabolite profiles provide a rational basis predicting the function of novel enzymes.