CRISPR-Cas9 unlocks TuMV resistance in Chinese cabbage

The turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), a potyvirus, has severely threatened Chinese cabbage crops. Existing research suggests that the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) genes, such as eIF(iso)4E, play a pivotal role in TuMV resistance in Arabidopsis. Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technique on the Chinese cabbage, specifically the Brassica rapa …

Experts provide updates and potential of gene-edited fruits and vegetables

China Agricultural University researchers published a review article on the development and prospect of gene-edited fruits and vegetables in the Food Quality and Safety journal. Gene editing technology offers tools such as CRISPR, TALENs, and ZFNs, which allow precise changes in plant or animal genomes to improve traits. Applications of …

GM lettuce and mizuna show antibacterial activity against E. coli

Researchers from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Nomad Bioscience GmbH in Germany produced genetically modified (GM) lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and mizuna (Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica var. laciniata) that stably express Colicin M (ColM), a non-antibiotic antimicrobial protein found in some strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli). …

Invitation for presentation on New Genomic Technics of Prof. VanBuren on 29.09.2023 in Sofia

The world is facing the increasing challenges of climate change, food security, and ensuring quality of life for a growing population! How can New Genomic Technics (NGT) in medicine, agriculture, and industry address these challenges? What are the achievements, challenges and concerns? Why is Europe launching a broad public debate …

Chemicals from maize roots influence wheat yield

Researchers from the Institute of Plant Sciences (IPS) at the University of Bern, Switzerland have shown that specialized metabolites secreted by maize roots affect the quality of soil and in some fields, this effect increases the yields of wheat planted after maize in the same soil by more than 4%. …

Iron boosts rice immune system

Researchers from the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) have successfully shown that iron treatment helps increase the resistance against rice blast fungus and activate the plant’s immune response against the pathogen. A study published in the Rice journal reveals that exposing rice plants to moderately high levels of …

Researchers develop healthier potatoes

Researchers from the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, used CRISPR-Cas9 to knockdown vacuolar invertase (VInv) gene, which resulted to reduced cold-storage sugar formation and sweetening in potatoes. The findings are published in Planta. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockdown of VInv gene was carried out using two sgRNAs in …

IAEA and FAO send seeds to Space

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched seeds into space as part of their initiative to develop crops that can withstand the impacts of climate change. The Arabidopsis and sorghum seeds are traveling to the International Space Station staring …

Researchers enhance soybean Phytophthora resistance without growth penalty

Nanjing Agricultural University researchers reported how they improved soybean’s resistance to Phytophthora without compromising growth. Their findings are published in Phytopathology Research. A plant’s immune system is turned on when it perceives the presence of pathogens. An active immune system impacts growth, making it a challenge to balance plant immunity …