Innovative Gene-Editing Technology Developed by Chinese and Israeli Scientists
New CRISPR Approach Enhances Genetic Editing in Plants to Address Global Food Challenges
Israeli and Chinese scientists have developed a novel gene-editing technology aimed at improving the scale and efficiency of genetic modifications in plants.
This advancement, reported by Tel Aviv University, represents a significant enhancement over existing CRISPR methodologies, which have been limited in their capacity to edit multiple genes simultaneously due to an issue known as 'genetic redundancy'.
In collaboration with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Israeli agri-tech company NetaGenomiX, researchers designed an algorithm to create CRISPR "libraries" capable of targeting thousands of related genes.
The research team successfully established 15,000 unique CRISPR units and employed these to edit genes in over 1,300 tomato plants.
They observed how these genetic changes influenced important traits, including sweetness, shape, and disease resistance.
Findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, indicated notable variations in sugar levels, as well as alterations in taste, size, and resilience against diseases in the modified tomatoes.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to extend this innovative gene-editing technique to other staple crops such as rice.
They emphasize that this methodology could be pivotal in developing superior and more resilient crop varieties to effectively tackle the dual challenges of climate change and the rising global food demand.
The success of this project highlights the potential of international collaboration between scientists from different countries to address pressing global issues through agricultural innovation.
This advancement, reported by Tel Aviv University, represents a significant enhancement over existing CRISPR methodologies, which have been limited in their capacity to edit multiple genes simultaneously due to an issue known as 'genetic redundancy'.
In collaboration with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Israeli agri-tech company NetaGenomiX, researchers designed an algorithm to create CRISPR "libraries" capable of targeting thousands of related genes.
The research team successfully established 15,000 unique CRISPR units and employed these to edit genes in over 1,300 tomato plants.
They observed how these genetic changes influenced important traits, including sweetness, shape, and disease resistance.
Findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, indicated notable variations in sugar levels, as well as alterations in taste, size, and resilience against diseases in the modified tomatoes.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to extend this innovative gene-editing technique to other staple crops such as rice.
They emphasize that this methodology could be pivotal in developing superior and more resilient crop varieties to effectively tackle the dual challenges of climate change and the rising global food demand.
The success of this project highlights the potential of international collaboration between scientists from different countries to address pressing global issues through agricultural innovation.
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