Strategies and Applications of Genomic Editing in Plants with CRISPR/Cas9

Abstract

CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9) has revolutionized the field of genome editing, providing a powerful and versatile tool for precise modification of genetic material. Plant genetic improvement through traditional breeding techniques often suffers from limitations in precision and efficiency. However, CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as a transformative technology enabling targeted modifications in plant genomes with unprecedented accuracy. Strategies employed in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in plants include the delivery of Cas9 protein and guide RNA molecules through Agrobacterium or viral vectors, as well as the development of delivery methods using nanoparticles or physical techniques. Gene knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 has been widely utilized to study gene function and decipher the roles of specific genes in plant development, stress response, and disease resistance. CRISPR/Cas9 facilitates precise gene replacement by introducing specific DNA sequences into plant genomes leading to crop plants with improved agronomic characteristics, nutritional quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. CRISPR/Cas9 allows for the stacking of multiple gene edits in a single plant, providing a means for trait multiplexing that has the potential to accelerate the development of crops with complex trait profiles, combining beneficial traits from different sources. CRISPR/Cas9 can be utilized for epigenome editing in plants, enabling the modulation of gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenome editing holds promise for the regulation of plant development, stress responses, and improved crop productivity. The applications and strategies discussed in this chapter demonstrate the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 to contribute to the development of improved crop varieties with enhanced productivity, nutritional content, and resilience to environmental challenges. © 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.