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A CRISPR approach to better crops
The lantern-shaped groundcherry, with its distinctive paper-thin husk, tomato-like texture and flavor akin to kiwi, seems to deserve a place in international produce markets. But Physalis pruinosa lacks key productivity traits, so its appeal remains limited. The fruit’s lowly status may soon change, however, now that researchers in Joyce Van Eck’s…
10 ways CRISPR will revolutionize environmental science
The hot new gene editing technique CRISPR has been making headlines for its potential to treat or prevent diseases. But medicine isn’t the only science where CRISPR is opening doors. This powerful genetic engineering tool is already helping scientists develop technologies to protect or repair the environment from human…
CRISPR-edited rice plants produce major boost in grain yield
A team of scientists from Purdue University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to develop a variety of rice that produces 25-31 percent more grain and would have been virtually impossible to create through traditional breeding methods. The team, led by Jian-Kang Zhu,…
CRISPR could bring science closer to the consumer
Gene editing opens up a whole world of possibilities, from eliminating malaria to combating chronic disease. But for Francisco Barro Losada, a Spanish plant scientist working on developing gluten-free wheat, the potential benefits of gene editing are much more down to earth. “Everyone knows celiac people, and celiacs know…
Using CRISPR to design superior foods
Photo: Ashley Katz Scientists are now using a pioneering technology called CRISPR to edit a plant’s own genes, ushering in a host of new crop traits that directly benefit consumers. Produce that doesn’t bruise or brown In 2015, scientists at Pennsylvania State University described the first CRISPR-edited food: a…
CRISPR poised to transform livestock breeding in Africa
Gene editing will dramatically transform livestock breeding in Africa for the better in the next few years, predicted Dr. Andrew Kiggundu, a Ugandan agricultural scientist. CRISPR and other gene editing technology will have a much greater impact on animal production than crops due to the nature of livestock disease in…
CRISPR technology could bring the Green Revolution to Africa
At a panel discussion on CRISPR-Cas9 technology at the World Food Prize events in Iowa, researchers pointed to the massive potential of the gene-editing tool to improve crops like cassava, millet, sorghum and teff.
“Training will build capacity of African scientists and give us modern biotech tools”
Our graduation marks the end of a six-week intensive training of 11 scientists in gene editing technology using CRISPR through the Africa Plant Breeding Academy CRISPR Course Class. The training aims to build the capacity of African scientists and provide them with modern biotechnology tools in gene editing including…