Applications of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in the plant biology

Authors: YINGZHUAN ZHENG, QIANQIAN LI, MINGWANG YE, AIE CEHN, HONGYANG WANG

Abstract: Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas) is an acquired immune system found in bacteria and archaea that can specifically silence or degrade a foreign single or double strand nucleic acid to protect it from infection. In recent years, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has rapidly been evolved into a genome editing technology, in which the Cas9 endonuclease can be targeted to specific DNA sequences by guide RNAs (gRNAs) that are easily programmable. Due to simplicity, specificity and high efficiency, CRISPR/Cas9 is gradually replacing other gene editing technologies and has been implemented in basic and applied plant sciences to boost yield, regulate metabolic process, and increase stress resistance in different varieties. In current review, we introduced its application scope in scientific research and practical application. We summarized the procedure of target plant generation by CRISPR/Cas9 method. We mainly reviewed the applications of CRISPR/Cas9 and its recent advances in model plants and other crop plants, attempting to provide a related general information to researchers. Further, we also included the inadequacies and concerns of CRISPR/Cas9 that have emerged so far.

Keywords: CRISPR/Cas9, applications, model plants, plant biology

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