Next-Generation Omics Technologies for Exploring Complex Metabolic Regulation During Plant-Microbe Interaction

Microbes are the most versatile creatures on the earth and are closely associated with numerous biological processes in plants throughout their life. Various biotic and abiotic stresses enable them to survive under adverse or even extreme conditions, and they developed this capability through time by synchronized orchestration of metabolic components. To understand the impact of microbial association with the plant under different conditions, it is utmost necessary to know what changes occur in metabolic constituents and how these can be regulated as per our requirement. Traditional methods are not sufficient for deep insight into this metabolic alteration, but advanced “omics” technologies undoubtedly offer a platform to do so. This chapter describes how genomics explores the structure and function of a gene, whereas transcriptomics and proteomics use quantification of mRNA to detect the level of gene expression in real time and analysis and protein content, respectively. In addition to this, metabolomics assists us in the identification and quantification of the metabolite and has also been used as a key method to uncover the volatile compounds involved in biocontrol of a plant pathogen. From the basic understanding of legume symbiosis to nutrient management and even complex stress management in the plant through a cooperative effort of plant and microbes, “omics” technology regularly increases our knowledge to understand this fascinating world of plant-microbes interaction.