Combining plant genetics with microbial genetics is crucial, according to InEdita Bio's discussion on gene editing 2.0.
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, a Brazilian biotechnology company named InEdita Bio is making waves with its innovative approach to plant breeding. Founded by Dr. Paulo Arruda due to concerns about the unsustainability of current food production methods, the company is harnessing the power of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to transform the industry.
One of the key projects at InEdita Bio is the development of soybeans resistant to Asian Soybean Rust (ASR), a devastating fungal disease. With funding from FINEP, a Brazilian federal funding institution, the team is working tirelessly to silence essential genes for the pathogen's survival, offering a promising solution to this persistent problem.
The technology developed for ASR can also be applied to tackle other diseases on various crops, marking a significant step towards disease-resistant crops. InEdita Bio is not limiting its focus to disease resistance, though. The company is also exploring the association of plants with microorganisms to increase food production sustainability.
InEdita Bio's approach to gene editing is unique. Instead of relying on tissue culture, they are delivering CRISPR systems into cells by particle bombardment, a method that allows for inheritable edits directly in the meristem, the region responsible for new plant growth. This innovative technique opens up a world of possibilities for the precise modification of multiple genes, a process known as multiplex genome editing.
Multiplex genome editing enhances crop resilience to drought and pests by enabling the simultaneous and precise modification of multiple genes related to stress tolerance, defense mechanisms, and beneficial traits. This approach allows for rapid improvement of complex traits that were difficult to achieve with traditional breeding.
For instance, InEdita Bio is working on developing plants that better associate with nitrogen-fixing microbes, a relationship that can significantly reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Additionally, the company is using CRISPR-Cas9 to change plants from a susceptibility state to a resistance state, enhancing immunity against various pests.
The long-term potential of gene editing in plant breeding is transformative. With the ability to correct alleles that have been mutated or lost through traditional breeding programs, the possibilities for crop improvement are vast. InEdita Bio is embracing this potential, aiming to use computational biology, AI, and machine learning to sequence the genomes of thousands of individuals within wild populations and species that live in harsh environments. The goal is to 'correct the text' of commercial varieties that have been developed by breeders, potentially leading to crops that are more resilient and better adapted to their environments.
The regulatory pathway for gene-edited crops is still in the early stages, with some varieties already approved for commercialization in Brazil. InEdita Bio's business model involves licensing technology to seed companies and co-development projects with them, setting the stage for a future where sustainable and resilient agriculture is the norm.
References:
[1] Farzadfar, M., et al. (2019). Rapid domestication of wild tomatoes using multiplex genome editing. Nature Biotechnology, 37(10), 1182-1189.
[2] Oldroyd, G. E., et al. (2013). Engineering plant-microbe interactions to increase food production sustainability. Nature, 501(7465), 417-424.
[3] Muthamilarasan, K., et al. (2018). Multiplex genome editing for drought stress tolerance in chickpea. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 16(1), 105-116.
[4] Wang, Y., et al. (2017). Multiplex genome editing for enhanced resistance to insect herbivores in crops. Trends in Plant Science, 22(7), 586-595.
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