science progress depends on new ideas and methodologies. the plant cell and plant physiology journals have shown how technological advances help us understand plant development and function. molecular tools combined with classical genetic and biochemical methods have provided new insights into complex plant processes like flowering, seed development, plant-microbe interactions, and stress adaptation. these discoveries have changed how we view plant development, environmental interactions, and crop improvement. the emergence of genomics as a major discipline is leading to another technological revolution, offering new tools and methods to study plants. these include genomic information, dna microarrays, and relational databases for storing gene and protein data. powerful software allows comprehensive analysis of gene expression and metabolic pathways. genome-wide approaches can analyze thousands of genes simultaneously, providing insights into plant form and function. these methods may also identify new commercial targets. the plant cell and plant physiology are well positioned to lead in this genomics revolution. papers using genomic approaches can be submitted to either journal. the plant cell is expanding its genomics expertise and will publish a special issue on plant genomics. this issue will provide background on genomic tools and technologies. an update on genomics appears in plant physiology. the genomics era promises rapid innovation in biology. the plant cell looks forward to reporting the growing role of genomics in understanding plant function. ralph s. quatrano, editor-in-chief.science progress depends on new ideas and methodologies. the plant cell and plant physiology journals have shown how technological advances help us understand plant development and function. molecular tools combined with classical genetic and biochemical methods have provided new insights into complex plant processes like flowering, seed development, plant-microbe interactions, and stress adaptation. these discoveries have changed how we view plant development, environmental interactions, and crop improvement. the emergence of genomics as a major discipline is leading to another technological revolution, offering new tools and methods to study plants. these include genomic information, dna microarrays, and relational databases for storing gene and protein data. powerful software allows comprehensive analysis of gene expression and metabolic pathways. genome-wide approaches can analyze thousands of genes simultaneously, providing insights into plant form and function. these methods may also identify new commercial targets. the plant cell and plant physiology are well positioned to lead in this genomics revolution. papers using genomic approaches can be submitted to either journal. the plant cell is expanding its genomics expertise and will publish a special issue on plant genomics. this issue will provide background on genomic tools and technologies. an update on genomics appears in plant physiology. the genomics era promises rapid innovation in biology. the plant cell looks forward to reporting the growing role of genomics in understanding plant function. ralph s. quatrano, editor-in-chief.