Pollenomelet

Pollenomelet is a neologism used to describe an integrated, multi-omics approach to pollen biology. It combines data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics to analyze pollen development, viability, germination, and pollen-stigma interactions. The term is a playful portmanteau of pollen and omelet, the latter recalling the idea of mixing multiple biological layers into a single "dish" of information, and is more common in informal or popular-science contexts than in formal journals.

Scope and methods: Studies labeled as pollenomelet typically pool single-pollen or pollen grain populations with high-sensitivity sequencing and mass spectrometry, along with advanced imaging. Techniques include single-cell RNA sequencing of pollen, small RNA profiling, chromatin accessibility assays, and proteo-metabolomics. Challenges include the minute biomass of pollen grains, contamination with floral tissue, and the need for careful data integration across omics platforms.

Applications: In basic research, pollenomelet approaches can illuminate pollen development programs, pollen tube growth, and pollen-pistil recognition. In agriculture, improved understanding of pollen fertility and stress responses can inform breeding and crop yields. The term remains mostly informal; formal methodological frameworks are typically described in more conventional 'multi-omics' or 'pollenomics' studies.

See also: pollenomics, multi-omics, omics, pollen biology.