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The Plant Metabolic Network (PMN) is your go-to resource for curated metabolic pathway data, genome annotations, and analysis tools that support plant research and enhance understanding of plant metabolism. This newsletter will keep you informed about the latest developments, events, and resources from PMN, including database updates, feature enhancements, tutorials, workshops, and research highlights.
Watch Now: What is the Plant Metabolic Network YouTube Video
Discover what the Plant Metabolic Network (PMN) is all about in our new introduction video! Learn how PMN brings together curated data on plant metabolism—from genes to pathways—to support research, education, and innovation.
Click below to watch!
Are you interested in building a genome-scale metabolic pathway database for your species of interest?
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PMN at PSNA
We are excited to announce that PMN is a sponsor at this year's Annual Meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA)!
You can meet us during PSNA at our booth where we invite researchers to contribute their enzyme data to PMN's database!
Members of PMN will be actively contributing to this year’s PSNA meeting in a variety of roles:
Philipp Zerbe - Confirmed Speaker
Hiroshi Maeda - Discussion Leader for the Plenary talk on Monday, June 15 and Meeting Organizer
Gabrielle Wyatt - Poster Presenter
Farida Yasmin - Poster Presenter
Publication Spotlight
The multilayered regulation of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in plants
Jorge El-Azaz and Hiroshi A. Maeda
Published: December 2025
Abstract: The shikimate and aromatic amino acid (AAA) biosynthetic pathways are crucial for the production of L-phenylalanine (Phe), L-tyrosine (Tyr), and L-tryptophan (Trp), as well as vitamins, hormones, and an array of plant natural products, including lignin, a major reservoir of organic carbon on Earth. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the mechanisms that dynamically regulate the AAA biosynthetic pathways of plants, with a particular focus on Phe biosynthesis due to its central role as a precursor to phenylpropanoids. The integration of AAA biosynthesis with upstream and downstream plant metabolism is also discussed, as well as how this fundamental knowledge can inform the bioengineering of plant-based platforms for sustainable production of AAA-derived natural products.
PMN at Recent Events
Where We Were: Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) Conference
When: January 9-14, 2026
Who Was There: Philipp Zerbe
Dr. Philipp Zerbe gave a talk on Investigating Plant Terpenoid Metabolism toward Crop and Bioproduct Applications
Where We Were: Chemical Biology Innovation Group at the University of California, Davis
When: January 21, 2026
Who Was There: Farida Yasmin
Dr. Farida Yasmin gave a talk on 1-5 Rings to Rule Them All: Discovery and Engineering of Plant Terpenoid Metabolism.
Where We Were: Real Christmas Tree Board Webinar Series
When: January 22, 2026
Who Was There: Philipp Zerbe
Dr. Philipp Zerbe gave a virtual talk on Christmas Tree Genetic Improvement Through Identification of Stress Defense Mechanisms.
Where We Were: University of Chicago Institute for Biophysical Dynamics
When: February 17, 2026
Who Was There: Sue Rhee
Dr. Sue Rhee presented a talk on Understanding and engineering drought resilience in sorghum using modeling and single-cell omics.
PMN at Upcoming Conferences
Where We Will Be: 2026 Salt and Water Stress in Plants Gordon Research Conference
When: May 24-29, 2026
Who Will Be There: Sue Rhee
Dr. Sue Rhee will present a talk on Understanding and engineering drought resilience in sorghum using modeling and single-cell omics.
Where We Will Be: The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) Conference
When: July 18-22, 2026
Who Will Be There: Sue Rhee and Gabrielle Wyatt
Dr. Sue Rhee will be attending and Gabrielle Wyatt will be presenting a poster.
Outreach
Charles Hawkins (left) leads a student in the PMN activity at Glencairn Science Night.
Glencairn Elementary School's Science Night
This month, PMN Director Charles Hawkins led one of our favorite activities at Glencairn Elementary School's Science Night in East Lansing, MI! Students explored how metabolism creates the pleasant aromas of bananas & other fruits, discovering through a hands-on activity how plant metabolism is what gives these fruits their signature scents.
Upcoming: Michigan State University's Science Festival
Every year, Michigan State University hosts a free, month-long celebration of science with events geared towards all ages. For the second year in a row, during the Science Festival's Steam Expo Weekend, there will be a room dedicated to plant science called 'The World of Plants.' PMN's Charles Hawkins and Gaëlle Cassin-Ross will be hosting a PMN booth in the World of Plants room to engage both kids and adults in learning about plant metabolism.
New PMN Member
Mohan Varghese, Ph.D
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Join us in welcoming the newest member of PMN!
Mohan Varghese, Ph.D is joining the PMN team as a Postdoctoral Researcher with The Maeda Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison!
You can meet Mohan and the other members of the Maeda Lab at this year's PSNA Annual Meeting!
National Science Foundation (Grant #: 2312181, 1546838, 1026003 and 0640769) and the Department of Energy (BER Grant #: ER65472), governed by an Editorial Board composed of internationally renowned scientists, and executed at Michigan State University‘s Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and the Plant Resilience Institute.
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