Carnivorous Plants as Model Species for Recent and Further Studies

Carnivorous plants (commonly known as insectivorous plants) are autotrophic organisms that perform photosynthesis but also consume nutrients, mainly the minerals N and P and some organic compounds, from other organisms (animals, protozoa, and even plants) in order to increase growth and reproduction rates ("mixotrophs"). For this aim, they have developed specialized traps. The evolution of carnivory was determined by changes in the genome (e.g., loss of some genes, whole-genome and tandem gene duplications, or miniaturization of genomes), and also by physiological and anatomical modifications. Knowledge gained from the study of carnivorous plants promotes the general understanding of plants and makes them important research models for traditional plant species. Studies of carnivorous plants as a source of active biological compounds that can be used in pharmacy and medicine, as well as against bacteria and fungi, are also currently widespread. Finally, traps of carnivorous plants are an inspiration for the invention of new materials (bioinspired surfaces) that will have potential applications in the fields of microfluidic devices, mechanical engineering, and biomedicine.