BULLETIN 1
Get Exclusive Access to the ISAAA Global Biotech/GM Adoption Report

 

January 21, 2026
For nearly three decades, the ISAAA Global Status of Commercialized GM/Biotech Crops has been recognized as the world's most authoritative source of adoption data. Since its inception in 1996, this report, authored by ISAAA Founder Dr. Clive James and Executive Director Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, has served as a significant source of insights for agri-biotech players.
In February 2026, ISAAA will release the highly anticipated 2024 adoption report. To ensure our community has exclusive access to these critical insights, we are introducing enhanced Biotech Updates subscription plans. These plans are designed to provide subscribers with the full scope of global biotech trends alongside our regular research and regulatory updates.
The Elite subscription plan (US$100) offers the most value, pairing the full report with specialized regional analysis to be released every quarter. As a special incentive, individuals who join the Elite tier by January 31, 2026, will also receive the Brief 57 slide deck, a visual companion containing the key findings. A Premium subscription plan (US$50) is also available for those seeking the full report only.
Secure an upgraded Biotech Updates subscription today. For corporate subscription inquiries, send an e-mail to knowledgecenter@isaaa.org .
See https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=21663

BULLETIN 2
Australia Approves Commercial Release of GM Purple Tomato

 

ISAAA January 21, 2026
Australia's Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has issued license DIR 218 to All Aussie Avocados Pty Ltd (trading as All Aussie Farmers), for the commercial release of a tomato genetically modified for purple fruit color. The GM Purple Tomato has been modified to produce natural purple/blue pigments, called anthocyanins, in the fruit as it ripens.
The GM Purple Tomato may be grown throughout Australia, subject to the restrictions in some Australian States and Territories for marketing reasons. The risk assessment conducted by the Regulator concluded that this release of GM Purple Tomato poses negligible risk to the health and safety of people or the environment.
Permission for the GM Purple Tomato and its products to be sold as food for human consumption in Australia requires a separate application to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). FSANZ also sets the requirements for GM food labelling in Australia. FSANZ has assessed the safety of the GM Purple Tomato and found that food derived from the GM Purple Tomato is as safe as food from conventional tomatoes already in the Australian and New Zealand food supply. In October 2025, FSANZ approved this GM Purple Tomato for sale as a food in Australia and New Zealand. The GM tomatoes and any derived food products are subject to mandatory GM labeling.
The finalized RARMP, a summary of the RARMP, the license, and Questions and Answers about this decision can be obtained online from the DIR 218 page of the OGTR website.
See: https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=21662

 

SCIENTIFIC NEWS

PeanutOmics: A comprehensive platform with an integrative multi-omics atlas for peanut research
Hongzhang Xue, Kunkun Zhao, Xiaorui Dong, Qian Ma, Sa Sa Hu, Zenghui Cao, Yang Shu, Yanzhe Li, Xiaoxiang Huang, Kai Zhao, Ding Qiu, Wenguang Shao, Rui Ren, Zhongfeng Li, Fangping Gong, Xingli Ma, Chaochun Wei, Dongmei Yin
Plant Commun.; 2026 Jan 12; 7(1):101622. doi: 10.1016/j.xplc.2025.101622.

 

  

Abstract
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is an economically important legume crop, but a comprehensive understanding of its gene expression dynamics across developmental stages remains limited. To address this gap, we constructed an integrative multi-omics atlas spanning transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiles across 22 primary vegetative and reproductive tissues. We identified 53 030 expressed genes at the transcript level, 12 826 with protein evidence, and 2035 metabolites. Among these, 2147 genes encode novel proteins, and 274 produce microproteins. Functional analyses identified WDR13, TANGO, RPP13, DEF3, SLR1-BP, and SLE2 as key genes involved in development and stress responses. Co-expression analysis grouped genes into 24 modules, many of which exhibited tissue-specific expression patterns. Pathway enrichment and correlation network analyses further highlighted the critical roles of the IAA and ARF gene families in hormone signaling and cell growth, particularly in peg development. To facilitate data accessibility and downstream research, we developed PeanutOmics (https://cgm.sjtu.edu.cn/PeanutOmics), a user-friendly web platform that integrates multi-omics datasets with advanced analytical tools. This atlas offers a valuable resource for understanding gene and metabolite regulation in peanut and lays the groundwork for advanced molecular breeding to improve crop productivity.
See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41277040/

 

  

Figure: Proteomic and transcriptomic maps of 22 peanut tissues.
(A) Schematic overview of the 22 sampled peanut tissues. These included shell (SH; 15 d, 30 d, 45 d, and 60 d), stem (SM), stem tip (SMT), lateral branch (LAB), taproot (TRT), branch root (BRT), leaf (LF), petiole (PTE), seed (SD; 15 d, 30 d, 45 d, and 60 d; seed at 60 d further subdivided into cotyledon 60 d [COT], episperm 60 d [EPI], and embryo 60 d [EMB]), petal (PT), calyx (CAL), pistil (PI), stamen (ST), and peg. Three biological replicates were collected for each sample.
(B) Circular representation of gene expression profiles across the 22 tissues based on proteomic (blue) and transcriptomic (orange) data. Center, hierarchical clustering of expression profiles from both data types.
(C) Number of genes detected at the transcript and protein levels. Gray bars represent genes with FPKM > 0 or protein expression (ProtExp) > 0 in at least one replicate. Colored bars indicate FPKM > 1 or ProtExp > 1. Dark gray boxes, genes with both FPKM > 1 and ProtExp > 1.
(D) Overlap of identified genes (FPKM > 1 and ProtExp > 1) between the transcriptome and proteome in reproductive and vegetative tissues.
(E) Pfam domain enrichment analysis of tissue-specific genes identified at the transcript and protein levels in reproductive and vegetative tissues.