Topics and Trends in Most Cited Plant Molecular Biology Research Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Plant Molecular Biology Research research in the Class of 2026?

Plant molecular biology research in the Class of 2026 is driven by transcriptomic profiling of abiotic stress tolerance, with major surges in cold and drought responses. Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and WRKY/ERF transcription factors lead regulatory insights in Arabidopsis, rice, and tomato, while CRISPR editing and long-read genomics emerge as key functional drivers.

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Updated July 23, 2026

At a glance

Field
Plant Molecular Biology Research
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
7,169
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Arabidopsis thaliana, transcriptomics, ABA signaling, WRKY transcription factors, abiotic stress tolerance
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
43–93
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#2 of 7,169
6618m citations

MYB-related transcription factors control chloroplast biogenesis

Eftychios Frangedakis et al.Cell202410.1016/j.cell.2024.06.039

Eftychios Frangedakis, Julian M. HibberdUniversity of Cambridge, United Kingdom

MYB-related transcription factorschloroplast biogenesisGOLDEN2-LIKE (GLK) transcription factorsMarchantia polymorphaArabidopsis thalianaglk mutantsphotosynthesis gene expressionchlorophyll biosynthesisCO2 fixationphotorespirationphotosystem assembly and repairdouble-mutant allelestranscriptional regulationland plant evolutionmaster regulators
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#3 of 7,169
6418m citations

Exaptation of ancestral cell-identity networks enables C4 photosynthesis

Joseph Swift, Leonie H Luginbuehl et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-08204-3

Leonie H. Luginbuehl, Joseph R. Ecker, Julian M. HibberdSalk Institute for Biological Studies, United States

C4 photosynthesisC3 photosynthesisbundle-sheath cellscell-identity networksCis-regulatory elementDOF transcription factorssingle-nucleus gene-expression atlaseschromatin-accessibility atlasesphotosynthesis gene rewiringCO2 compartmentalizationricesorghumancestral cis-codetranscription factor patterningexaptationC4 engineering in C3 crops
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#4 of 7,169
6318m citations

Stress-induced nuclear translocation of ONAC023 improves drought and heat tolerance through multiple processes in rice

Yu Chang et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-50229-9

Yujie Fang, Lizhong XiongHuazhong Agricultural University, China

ONAC023nuclear translocationDrought toleranceThermotolerancericeOSREM1.5remorin proteindephosphorylationOsPIP2;7PGL3OsFKBP20-1bOsSF3B1water transportreactive oxygen species homeostasisalternative splicingstress-induced gene expressionmulti-stress resiliencereproductive stage stress responseNAC transcription factorprotoplast assay
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#5 of 7,169
6218m citations

The temperature sensor TWA1 is required for thermotolerance in Arabidopsis

Lisa Bohn et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07424-x

Alexander Christmann, Erwin GrillTechnische Universität München, Germany

TWA1ThermotoleranceArabidopsis thalianatemperature sensorbasal thermotoleranceacquired thermotoleranceJAM transcription factorsTOPLESSTOPLESS-RELATEDintrinsically disordered proteinthermosensory domainnuclear subdomainsHSFA2heat shock proteinsconformational changetranscriptional repressor complexHeat acclimationtemperature thresholdthermogenetics
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#6 of 7,169
6218m citations

An AP2/ERF transcription factor confers chilling tolerance in rice

Liang Xu et al.Science Advances202410.1126/sciadv.ado4788

Liang Xu, Lijia Yang, Aipeng Li, Jiazhuo Guo, Shiyong SongZhejiang University, China

OsERF52AP2/ERF transcription factorschilling toleranceCBF genesSAPK9phosphorylation at S261Ideal Plant Architecture 1OsbHLH002OsICE1OsCBFsbase editingOsERF52 S261DKinase regulationtranscription factor interactionCold stress responsemolecular breeding
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#7 of 7,169
5818m citations

Transcriptome analysis of axillary buds in low phosphorus stress and functional analysis of TaWRKY74s in wheat

Xue-Zheng Li, Xiao-Tong Zhang, Xiao-Min Bie et al.BMC Plant Biology202410.1186/s12870-023-04695-w

Heng Tang, Fang WangShandong Agricultural University, China

Phosphate starvationaxillary budstilleringTaWRKY74sTranscriptomicsKenong 199TaWRKY74-ATaWRKY74-BTaWRKY74-DWRKYGQK motifaxillary meristemshoot apical meristemRNAi transgenic plantsOsWRKY74sAbscisic acid signalingAuxin signalingphosphorus tolerance genesPlant hormone signalingion transmembrane transport
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#8 of 7,169
5618m citations

Structure and function of the <i>Arabidopsis</i> ABC transporter ABCB19 in brassinosteroid export

Wei Ying, Yaowei Wang, Hong Wei, Yongming Luo et al.Science202410.1126/science.adj4591

Wei Ying, Yaowei Wang, Hong Wei, Yongming Luo, Xin Liu, Eugenia Russinova, Linfeng SunUniversity of Science and Technology of China, China

Arabidopsis thalianaABCB19ABC transporterBrassinosteroidsbrassinosteroid exportABCB1ATP hydrolysissubstrate-unbound statebrassinosteroid-bound stateBrassinosteroid signalingbrassinosteroid receptorscell surface receptorstransport assaysstructural biologybioactive brassinosteroidsplant developmentenvironmental stress adaptation
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#9 of 7,169
5618m citations

Regulatory mechanisms of strigolactone perception in rice

Qingliang Hu et al.Cell202410.1016/j.cell.2024.10.009

Qingliang HuChinese Academy of Sciences, China

Strigolactonesstrigolactone perceptionregulatory mechanismsricePlant hormone signalingD14 receptorD53 repressorD3 F-box proteinSCF complexproteasomal degradationtilleringshoot branchingkarrikin signalingα/β hydrolase foldprotein-protein interaction
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#10 of 7,169
5318m citations

Microbial colonisation rewires the composition and content of poplar root exudates, root and shoot metabolomes

F Fracchia et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01888-9

Claire Veneault‐Fourrey, Aurélie DeveauUniversité de Lorraine, France

poplar root exudatesPopulus tremula x tremuloidesmicrobiota assemblyroot-to-shoot axisDNA metabarcodingrhizosphere microbiomeendophytessymbiontsgas chromatography-mass spectrometryplant-microbe interactionsroot metabolomeshoot metabolomegamma irradiated soillipid-related metabolitesdefence compoundsprimary metabolismdefence metabolismsaprophytic microorganismsmicrobial colonisation dynamicsbelowground-aboveground linkages
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#11 of 7,169
5318m citations

A cytoplasmic osmosensing mechanism mediated by molecular crowding–sensitive DCP5

Zhenyu Wang et al.Science202410.1126/science.adk9067

Hongwei GuoSouthern University of Science and Technology, China

DCP5cytoplasmic osmosensingmolecular crowdingintramolecular crowding sensorphase separationhyperosmolarityDCP5-enriched osmotic stress granulestranslatome reprogrammingtranscriptome reprogrammingmRNA sequestrationosmotic stress adaptationplant-specific osmosensorstress granulesconformational change
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#12 of 7,169
5318m citations

Light-induced remodeling of phytochrome B enables signal transduction by phytochrome-interacting factor

Zhengdong Wang et al.Cell202410.1016/j.cell.2024.09.005

Xing Wang Deng, Jizong WangPeking University, China

Phytochrome BPHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORSPIF6cryo-electron microscopyphotoactivationphyB Y276H mutantchromophore configuration switchPHY domaintongue signaturehead-to-tail dimerhead-to-head dimerinduced-fit recognitionN-terminal extension domainasymmetric dimerlight-induced conformational transitiondark-adapted statephyB-PIF6 complex
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#13 of 7,169
4918m citations

The super-pangenome of Populus unveils genomic facets for its adaptation and diversification in widespread forest trees

Tingting Shi et al.Molecular Plant202410.1016/j.molp.2024.03.009

Jianquan Liu, Tongming Yin, Jing WangSichuan University, China

super-pangenomePopulusgenomic adaptationspecies diversificationforest treespangenomicscomparative genomicsgenome evolutionaccessory genescore genesstructural variationecological adaptationphylogenomicsgene family expansionpopulation genomics
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#14 of 7,169
4918m citations

Differential phosphorylation of Ca2+-permeable channel CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE–GATED CHANNEL20 modulates calcium-mediated freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis

Yue Peng et al.The Plant Cell202410.1093/plcell/koae177

Shuhua YangChina Agricultural University, China

CNGC20calcium-permeable channelfreezing tolerancecold-induced calcium influxcytosolic calciumPSY1Rleucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinaseCRPK1differential phosphorylationCNGC20 phosphorylationCNGC20 degradationCold stress responseArabidopsis thalianacold-responsive genesKinase regulationchannel activity modulation
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#15 of 7,169
4918m citations

Two telomere-to-telomere gapless genomes reveal insights into Capsicum evolution and capsaicinoid biosynthesis

Weikai Chen, Xiangfeng Wang, Jie Sun, Xinrui Wang, Zhangsheng Zhu et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-48643-0

Hang He, Li GuoPeking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China

Complete genome assemblyCapsicum annuumCapsicum rhomboideumcapsaicinoid biosynthesisfruit pungencycentromeresCRM retrotransposonsphylogenomicsnonpungent speciesplacenta-specific gene expressionaccessible chromatin regionstissue-specific coregulationbiosynthetic gene clustersCapsicum evolutionregulatory region disruption
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#16 of 7,169
4918m citations

A Zea genus-specific micropeptide controls kernel dehydration in maize

Yanhui Yu et al.Cell202410.1016/j.cell.2024.10.030

Junjun Yan, Jiali Yan, Jianbing YanHuazhong Agricultural University, China

kernel dehydration rateqKDR1quantitative trait locusqKDR1 REGULATED PEPTIDE GENERPGmicroRPG1micropeptideZmETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-like 1ZmETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-like 3Ethylene signalingZea genus-specificde novo gene originationnon-coding sequencekernel fillingmechanized harvestinggene expression modulationknockoutOverexpressionexogenous applicationcross-species validation
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#17 of 7,169
4518m citations

Prediction of plant complex traits via integration of multi-omics data

Peipei Wang et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-50701-6

Peipei WangMichigan State University, United States

multi-omics data integrationcomplex trait predictionArabidopsis thalianagenomic datatranscriptomic datamethylomic dataflowering timegenotype-to-phenotype translationbenchmark genesGene regulatory networksaccession-dependent gene contributionsGenetic interactionexperimental validationtranscriptome-based modelsmethylome-based modelsgenome-based models
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#19 of 7,169
4418m citations

Adaptive roles of cytokinins in enhancing plant resilience and yield against environmental stressors

Nishbah Mughal et al.Chemosphere202410.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143189

Jiang LiuSichuan Agricultural University, China

cytokininsplant resilienceCrop yieldenvironmental stressorsabiotic stress tolerancePlant hormone signalingstress adaptationcytokinin biosynthesiscytokinin receptorsdrought stressSalinity stressoxidative stressphotosynthesis regulationsenescence delayroot-to-shoot signalingstress-responsive genesagricultural biotechnology
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Plant Molecular Biology Research

What Topics Define the Class of 2026 in Plant Molecular Biology?

The Class of 2026 in plant molecular biology research is overwhelmingly centered on understanding environmental stress resilience and hormone-mediated regulatory networks in model and crop species. Arabidopsis thaliana remains the premier model system, appearing in 24% of top-ranked publications (12 papers), serving as the foundational platform for dissecting fundamental cellular mechanisms. Simultaneously, translation to key agronomic crops is evident through heavy representation of rice (Oryza sativa, 10% of papers) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, 8% of papers). Methodologically, transcriptomics has established itself as the primary engine for high-throughput discovery, representing 10% of high-impact works. At the mechanistic level, phytohormone signaling networks—most notably abscisic acid (ABA) signaling (8%) and auxin signaling (6%)—dominate current inquiries, underpinning plant responses to fluctuating environments. Downstream of hormone perception, specific transcriptional regulatory machinery commands significant attention, led by WRKY transcription factors (8%), ERF family regulators (6%), and cis-regulatory element architecture (6%). Environmental adaptation research is tightly clustered around abiotic stress resilience, particularly cold tolerance and drought stress responses. Together, these topics define a field focused on deciphering gene regulatory networks that orchestrate stress survival, developmental plasticity, and crop productivity.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

A comparison between the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 highlights a decisive shift toward multi-stress climate adaptation mechanisms and functional genomics technologies. The most prominent surge occurred in cold tolerance and drought stress research, both expanding from zero top-ranked papers in the previous cohort to four papers each (0.08 normalized frequency) in the Class of 2026. This focus on environmental extremes was mirrored by a 4-fold increase in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling (growing from 2% to 8% frequency) and a 5-fold expansion in transcriptomic studies (from 2% to 10%), reflecting an emphasis on systems-level hormone dynamics under stress. Emerging transcription factor families also saw rapid adoption; ERF (ethylene response factor) transcription factors surged from zero to 6% frequency, working alongside WRKY regulators to coordinate stress defense. Additionally, next-generation functional tools—including CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, complete long-read genome assemblies, and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)—entered the top-cited tier for the first time, alongside enzymatic ROS-scavenging markers like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Conversely, general salt tolerance studies experienced a 50% relative decline (dropping from 12% to 6% frequency), indicating that research attention has broadened from isolated salinity responses toward integrative osmotic and temperature stress signaling.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Plant Molecular Biology Research Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/plant-molecular-biology-research/2026. Accessed 2026-07-23.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459