November 22, 2016

ISB News Report - October/November 2016
http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2016/OctNov16.pdf

Table of Contents

PLANT RESEARCH NEWS

Prospects for CRISPR-Assisted Plant Breeding: The Necessity to Enhance Gene Knock-in Efficiency
Cecile Collonnier, Francois Maclot, Kostlend Mara, Anouchka Guyon-Debast, Florence Charlot, Fabien Nogue
Genome editing via the CRISPR/Cas9 system provides new means of creating and manipulating genetic diversity in plants. Mutations can be created either by error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-mediated repair of the double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced at the target (knock-out of genes), or by insertion of an exogenous donor DNA at the cleavage site driven or not by homology (knock-in of genes). The donor DNA can contain a modified version of the targeted locus leading to allele replacement, or be totally foreign to the recipient genome for targeted transgene insertion. On one hand, these approaches can be used to progress in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the traits of interest and in the validation of candidate genes. On the other hand, they provide the means of integrating the desired alleles of these genes in any transformable material in a controlled and targeted way. 

A High-efficiency CRISPR Platform for Maize Improvement 
Kan Wang and Bing Yang 
Crop breeders frequently employ mutagenic technologies to accelerate crop improvement. This mutation breeding process exposes plants or seeds to mutagens that cause damage to plant DNA. During the DNA repair process that is natural for plant cells, genetic changes such as mutations are introduced into their genetic makeup including genes. These genetic changes can result in both positive and negative outcomes; too often one positive change is accompanied by many unintended changes. Biotechnologists have been searching for tools for modifying genomes to alter gene expressions in a precise manner-the so-called gene or genome editing. Recently, the modified CRISPR/Cas9 system has become the most promising and popular genetic tool for basic and applied research in eukaryotes. 

NEWS AND NOTES

Register for the Forum of Scientific Society Leaders on Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects 

On December 7, 2016, representatives of more than 12 scientific societies will meet to explore the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the report, Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects, which was released earlier this year. 

Website: http://www.vt.edu

Published: November 22, 2016