Written by Charlotte Cunningham from CPM Magazine
Scientists at Rothamsted Research have found a way to switch on a dormant gene without inserting foreign DNA and creating a GMO, as would usually be the approach. According to the research facility, this is the first such demonstration using a gene editing ‘deletion’ approach in any organism, with previous methods not managing this feat in such a precise and predictable way. The hope is this technique could be adapted to a variety of situations where plant breeders want to turn genes on, rather than just turning them off, as is often needed for crop improvement. Professor Peter Eastmond and his Rothamsted Research colleagues used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing – which is usually used to switch genes off – to bring the gene in question under the control of an existing gene promoter, which then acts as its new genetic ‘on-switch’. Important challenge “Achieving ‘gain-of-function’ phenotypes without inserting foreign DNA is an important challenge for plant biotechnologists,” says Peter. “Here we show that a gene can be brought under the control of a promoter from another gene by deleting the intervening genomic sequence. It’s a tough thing to do, but we’ve come up with a simple solution to a difficult problem.…
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Scientists at Rothamsted Research have found a way to switch on a dormant gene without inserting foreign DNA and creating a GMO, as would usually be the approach. According to the research facility, this is the first such demonstration using a gene editing ‘deletion’ approach in any organism, with previous methods not managing this feat in such a precise and predictable way. The hope is this technique could be adapted to a variety of situations where plant breeders want to turn genes on, rather than just turning them off, as is often needed for crop improvement. Professor Peter Eastmond and his Rothamsted Research colleagues used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing – which is usually used to switch genes off – to bring the gene in question under the control of an existing gene promoter, which then acts as its new genetic ‘on-switch’. Important challenge “Achieving ‘gain-of-function’ phenotypes without inserting foreign DNA is an important challenge for plant biotechnologists,” says Peter. “Here we show that a gene can be brought under the control of a promoter from another gene by deleting the intervening genomic sequence. It’s a tough thing to do, but we’ve come up with a simple solution to a difficult problem.…
The post Scientists turn on gene without creating a GMO appeared first on cpm magazine.
Continue reading on CPM website...
If you are enjoying what you read then why not considering subscribing here: http://www.cpm-magazine.co.uk/subscribe/