The application of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing machinery in food and agricultural science: Current status, future perspectives, and associated challenges

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewpeer-review

  • Ismail Eş
  • Mohsen Gavahian
  • Francisco J. Marti-Quijal
  • Jose M. Lorenzo
  • Amin Mousavi Khaneghah
  • Christos Tsatsanis
  • Kampranis, Sotirios
  • Francisco J. Barba

The recent progress in genetic engineering has brought multiple benefits to the food and agricultural industry by enhancing the essential characteristics of agronomic traits. Powerful tools in the field of genome editing, such as siRNA-mediated RNA interference for targeted suppression of gene expression and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) for DNA repair have been widely used for commercial purposes. However, in the last few years, the discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized genome editing and has attracted attention as a powerful tool for several industrial applications. Herein, we review current progresses in the utilization of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in the food and agricultural industry, particularly in the development of resistant crops with improved quality and productivity. We compare the CRISPR system with the TALEN and ZFN nucleases–based methods and highlight potential advantages and shortcomings. In addition, we explore the state of the global market and discuss the safety and ethical concerns associated with the application of this technology in the food and agricultural industry.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBiotechnology Advances
Volume37
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)410-421
Number of pages12
ISSN0734-9750
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2019

    Research areas

  • Agriculture, Bioactive compounds, CRISPR-Cas9, Food applications, Plant genome editing, Single guide RNA

ID: 216312693