Molecular tools for genome editing in plants: a synthetic overview

The modification of plant genomes is an essential step towards the development of new crops to increase food production. Initially, genome modification relied on conventional plant breeding and the introduction of genetic traits using crossing techniques to generate new varieties. In the 1980s, tran...

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Main Authors: Nicolau Brito da Cunha, Michel Lopes Leite, Júlio Carlyle Macedo Rodrigues, Jéssica Carrijo, Fabrício Falconi Costa, Simoni Campos Dias, Elíbio Leopoldo Rech, Giovanni Rodrigues Vianna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Maximum Academic Press 2025-01-01
Series:Vegetable Research
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Online Access:https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/vegres-0025-0005
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author Nicolau Brito da Cunha
Michel Lopes Leite
Júlio Carlyle Macedo Rodrigues
Jéssica Carrijo
Fabrício Falconi Costa
Simoni Campos Dias
Elíbio Leopoldo Rech
Giovanni Rodrigues Vianna
author_facet Nicolau Brito da Cunha
Michel Lopes Leite
Júlio Carlyle Macedo Rodrigues
Jéssica Carrijo
Fabrício Falconi Costa
Simoni Campos Dias
Elíbio Leopoldo Rech
Giovanni Rodrigues Vianna
author_sort Nicolau Brito da Cunha
collection DOAJ
description The modification of plant genomes is an essential step towards the development of new crops to increase food production. Initially, genome modification relied on conventional plant breeding and the introduction of genetic traits using crossing techniques to generate new varieties. In the 1980s, trans and cis modification allowed the incorporation of specific traits into plant genomes, largely due to the development of DNA delivery systems such as Agrobacterium and biolistics. This technological breakthrough has boosted a second generation of genetically modified crops that have had a major impact on agriculture. However, the stochastic nature of the DNA delivery systems, with little control over where the genome modification occurred, required regulatory measures to ensure environmental, human, and animal safety, which has hindered the ability and speed to generate new and more adapted varieties. New technological advances have made it possible to increase the precision of genome modifications leading to a third generation of agricultural products. These technological advances rely on enzymes targeting specific genomic regions, making it possible to introduce mutations and new traits into the plant genome. Meganucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and CRISPR/Cas9 are valuable tools that allow for specific genomic modifications. These tools have made it possible to develop new, safer varieties in a shorter timeframe. In this review, we explore the functional mechanisms of these new breeding tools, their advantages and drawbacks, and their potential to explore metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in plants.
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spelling doaj-art-1a14f62e461641e6b26d3e0f2aeb96b02025-08-20T03:18:39ZengMaximum Academic PressVegetable Research2769-05202025-01-015111410.48130/vegres-0025-0005vegres-0025-0005Molecular tools for genome editing in plants: a synthetic overviewNicolau Brito da Cunha0Michel Lopes Leite1Júlio Carlyle Macedo Rodrigues2Jéssica Carrijo3Fabrício Falconi Costa4Simoni Campos Dias5Elíbio Leopoldo Rech6Giovanni Rodrigues Vianna7Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (FAV), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília 70910-970, DF BrazilGenomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília 71966-700, DF BrazilEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology; PqEB W5 Norte, Brasília-DF 70770-917, BrazilEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology; PqEB W5 Norte, Brasília-DF 70770-917, BrazilCancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Northwestern University' s Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USAPost-Graduation in Molecular Biology Program (PPGMol), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília 70910-900, DF BrazilEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology/ National Institute of Science and Technology in Synthetic Biology, Brasília 70770-917, BrazilEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology; PqEB W5 Norte, Brasília-DF 70770-917, BrazilThe modification of plant genomes is an essential step towards the development of new crops to increase food production. Initially, genome modification relied on conventional plant breeding and the introduction of genetic traits using crossing techniques to generate new varieties. In the 1980s, trans and cis modification allowed the incorporation of specific traits into plant genomes, largely due to the development of DNA delivery systems such as Agrobacterium and biolistics. This technological breakthrough has boosted a second generation of genetically modified crops that have had a major impact on agriculture. However, the stochastic nature of the DNA delivery systems, with little control over where the genome modification occurred, required regulatory measures to ensure environmental, human, and animal safety, which has hindered the ability and speed to generate new and more adapted varieties. New technological advances have made it possible to increase the precision of genome modifications leading to a third generation of agricultural products. These technological advances rely on enzymes targeting specific genomic regions, making it possible to introduce mutations and new traits into the plant genome. Meganucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and CRISPR/Cas9 are valuable tools that allow for specific genomic modifications. These tools have made it possible to develop new, safer varieties in a shorter timeframe. In this review, we explore the functional mechanisms of these new breeding tools, their advantages and drawbacks, and their potential to explore metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in plants.https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/vegres-0025-0005crop improvementgenome editingplant genetic engineeringnew breeding tools
spellingShingle Nicolau Brito da Cunha
Michel Lopes Leite
Júlio Carlyle Macedo Rodrigues
Jéssica Carrijo
Fabrício Falconi Costa
Simoni Campos Dias
Elíbio Leopoldo Rech
Giovanni Rodrigues Vianna
Molecular tools for genome editing in plants: a synthetic overview
Vegetable Research
crop improvement
genome editing
plant genetic engineering
new breeding tools
title Molecular tools for genome editing in plants: a synthetic overview
title_full Molecular tools for genome editing in plants: a synthetic overview
title_fullStr Molecular tools for genome editing in plants: a synthetic overview
title_full_unstemmed Molecular tools for genome editing in plants: a synthetic overview
title_short Molecular tools for genome editing in plants: a synthetic overview
title_sort molecular tools for genome editing in plants a synthetic overview
topic crop improvement
genome editing
plant genetic engineering
new breeding tools
url https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/vegres-0025-0005
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