Rubus (raspberries and blackberries) is a large genus of over 700 species well known for its taxonomic challenges. Many of its species hold significant economic value as important edible and medicinal plants. Here, near-complete genomes for four wild diploid raspberry species were assembled, including R. ellipticus, R. niveus, as well as the highly heterozygous diploid red raspberry (R. idaeus), and its closely related species R. sachalinensis. Pan-genome analysis of Rubus identified 10,243 core gene families (64% of total), and highlights expansions of flavonoid/terpenoid pathways in Rubus, correlating with fruit bioactive compound diversity. Our discovery of shared ancestral components between R. idaeus and R. sachalinensis subgenomes provides evidence for their homoploid hybrid origin. The centromere sequence characteristics could serve as markers for subgenome assignment in R. idaeus and R. sachalinensis. Moreover, population genomic studies of 125 accessions from ca. 80 species uncovered widespread genetic introgression, particularly in red raspberries, with centromeric haplotype signatures tracing ancestral contributions to cultivated varieties. By integrating metabolome and transcriptome data, we explore the fruit quality regulatory network of Chinese raspberries. We identified a glutathione S-transferase gene that may inhibit the successful transport of anthocyanins into the vacuole and appears to be a limiting factor for the anthocyanin pigmentation in R. ellipticus fruits. In summary, this research sheds new light on the genetic intricacies of raspberry species and their cultivars, and provides a robust foundation for horticultural improvement and genomic selection in raspberry breeding.

Hidden hunger, caused by chronic micronutrient deficiencies, affects billions of people worldwide and remains a critical public health issue despite progress in food production. Biofortification offers a promising solution by enhancing nutrient levels within plant tissues through traditional breeding or advanced biotechnologies. Recent advancements in plant synthetic biology have significantly improved biofortification strategies, enabling precise and targeted nutrient enrichment. This mini-review outlines five core strategies in synthetic biology-based biofortification: overexpression of endogenous biosynthetic genes, introduction of heterologous biosynthetic pathways, expression of nutrient-specific transporters, optimization of transcriptional regulation, and protein (directed) evolution. Vitamin B₁ biofortification serves as a primary illustrative example due to its historical importance and ongoing relevance. Recent breakthroughs, particularly from Chinese research teams, are also highlighted. Together, these strategies offer transformative potential for addressing global nutritional challenges through precise, sustainable and innovative plant-based approaches.

Plants have evolved a remarkable ability to sense and respond to changes in photoperiod, allowing adjustments to their growth and development based on seasonal and environmental cues. The floral transition is a pivotal stage in plant growth and development, signifying a shift from vegetative to reproductive growth. CONSTANS (CO), a central photoperiodic response factor conserved in various plants, mediates day-length signals to control the floral transition, although its mechanisms of action vary among plants with different day-length requirements. In addition, recent studies have uncovered roles for CO in organ development and stress responses. These pleiotropic roles in model plants and crops make CO a potentially fruitful target for molecular breeding aimed at modifying crop agronomic traits. This review systematically traces research on CO, from its discovery and functional studies to the exploration of its regulatory mechanisms and newly discovered functions, providing important insight into the roles of CO and laying a foundation for future research.