Omics data integration in microbial research for agricultural and environmental applications

Abstract

Essentiality of omics research clubbed with the bioinformatics data analysis has been perceived in a long time for the advancement of science and innovation. Bioinformatics finds a direct application in the crop improvement programs. The availability of complete genomes of microbial species, economically important crops, animals, and the whole environment (metagenomes) facilitated high-throughput studies for the opening of new avenues to improve crop programs. Different approaches, such as microbial and plant genome comparisons, genetic mapping strategies, and evolutionary analyses, involved in crop development programs are possible through bioinformatics data analysis. New genes, novel proteins and their functions, unique metabolites and their quantitative profile, and metabolic pathways generated from microbes, plants, and animals seemed to have yielded much expected values in terms of new targets or strategies for the development of crop plants in agriculture. Recent work on this subject helped us in dealing with such issues realistically and optimistically in a socially responsible way. Omics-aided research in microbial and plant sciences genuinely help us to consider that people are exploring novel scientific and technological systems to improve human health, human food and animal feed production, overall agricultural productivity, and environmental protection.