Context:
A recent collaborative effort between the ICAR-National Rice Research Institute in Cuttack, India, and Pennsylvania State University, USA, has yielded a groundbreaking advancement in plant genome editing.
More on the News:
- The researchers have developed a novel genome-editing tool called ISDra2TnpB, derived from the bacteria Deinococcus radiodurans, that overcomes the limitations of the widely used CRISPR technology in plant systems.
Key features of ISDra2TnpB:
- A major challenge in plant genome editing has been the large size of these proteins, which often hinders their efficient delivery and function within plant cells.
- The ISDra2TnpB tool addresses the above limitation by being significantly smaller than traditional CRISPR-associated proteins, making it more suitable for use in plant cells.
- The ISDra2TnpB is less than half the size of Cas9 and Cas12, allowing for more efficient delivery and function within plant cells.
- It has demonstrated a remarkable 33.58% editing efficiency in average plant genomes, making it a promising option for various crops.
- The researchers have also shown that ISDra2TnpB is effective in editing both monocot plants (like rice) and dicot plants (like Arabidopsis).
- Furthermore, the team has enhanced the tool by creating a hybrid base editor that can swap single nucleotides in the DNA sequence, opening up new possibilities for precise genetic modifications.
Genome:
- It is the complete set of DNA instructions found in a cell.
- The human genome is made up of smaller chromosomes found in the cell’s mitochondria and 23 pairs of chromosomes found in the nucleus of the cell.
- The genome contains all the information an individual needs to develop and function.
Genome editing:
- It is a powerful technique that allows scientists to make precise modifications to the Deoxy-Ribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequence of living organisms.
- With the help of the gene-editing tool CRISPR, scientists can precisely edit genomes to introduce desirable genetic traits or remove undesirable ones.
- The CRISPR system, particularly using proteins like Cas9 and Cas12, has revolutionized genetic research due to its precision and efficiency.
About TnpB Protein:
- It is a protein composed of about 400 amino acid units.
- It belongs to the family of transposable elements or transposons, also called “jumping genes”,
- Transposons are parts of the genome that can move from one place to another.
Practical Applications in Agriculture:
- The development of ISDra2TnpB holds significant implications for agriculture, particularly in improving crop resilience and productivity.
- By editing genes that make crops vulnerable to pests, ISDra2TnpB could play a big role in helping develop more pest-resistant varieties.
- The tool could also remove anti-nutrient factors from crops, enhancing their nutritional value.
- ISDra2TnpB could help create shorter rice crops less prone to damage during cyclones, a common problem in cyclone-prone regions, thereby increasing crop resilience to environmental stress.