Molecular regulators of regeneration and strategies for overcoming genotype-dependent recalcitrance in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Efficient wheat transformation remains limited by strong genotype dependence and low regenerative capacity in many elite cultivars. This review summarized recent advances in transformation methods, including Agrobacterium-mediated delivery, particle bombardment, nanoparticle systems, and viral vectors, highlighting progress in identification and functional characterization of regeneration-promoting factors such as BBM/WUS, GRF4-GIF1, WOX genes, and TaLAX1. Furthermore, multi-omics studies have revealed transcriptional and chromatin dynamics underlying somatic reprogramming, yet the genetic basis of genotype-dependent regeneration remains unclear. In this review, we summarize how using a combination of stepwise phenotyping, utilization of genomic resources, and systems genetics approaches offers a potentially promising route towards genotype-independent transformation in wheat. A review summarizes recent advances in wheat transformation and regeneration-promoting factors as well as highlights an integrated multi-omics and pangenomics framework to develop strategies for achieving genotype-independent transformation.