title: Research on orchid biology and biotechnology.
abstract: Orchidaceae constitute one of the largest families of angiosperms. They are one of the most ecological and evolutionary significant plants and have successfully colonized almost every habitat on earth. Because of the significance of plant biology, market needs and the current level of breeding technologies, basic research into orchid biology and the application of biotechnology in the orchid industry are continually endearing scientists to orchids in Taiwan. In this introductory review, we give an overview of the research activities in orchid biology and biotechnology, including the status of genomics, transformation technology, flowering regulation, molecular regulatory mechanisms of floral development, scent production and color presentation. This information will provide a broad scope for study of orchid biology and serve as a starting point for uncovering the mysteries of orchid evolution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Yun
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Zhao-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Chia-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Ya-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yi-Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Yu-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Hsing-Hui
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Wen-Huei
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-Chieh
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Hong-Hwa
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology; D001947:Breeding; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D030561:Databases, Nucleic Acid; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D017343:Genes, Plant; D054628:Genome, Chloroplast; D018745:Genome, Plant; D023281:Genomics; D059785:Karyotype; D009812:Odorants; D029595:Orchidaceae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000235:genetics; D013624:Taiwan; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant; D010860:Pigments, Biological