Precision Breeding Made Real with CRISPR: Illustration through Genetic Resistance to Pathogens

• Published in: Plant communications 2020-09, Vol.1 (5), p.100102-100102, Article 100102
• Main Authors: Veillet, Florian, Durand, Mickael, Kroj, Thomas, Cesari, Stella, Gallois, Jean-Luc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: base editing; CRISPR-Associated Protein 9; CRISPR-Cas Systems; CRISPR-Cas9; Disease Resistance - genetics; Gene Editing; Gene Knockdown Techniques; gene targeting; Genome, Plant - genetics; Host-Pathogen Interactions - genetics; Life Sciences; Plant Breeding - methods; Plant Diseases - genetics; Plant Diseases - microbiology; plant/pathogen interactions; precision crop breeding; prime editing; Review
• ISSN: 2590-3462; 2590-3462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2020.100102

Since its discovery as a bacterial adaptive immune system and its development for genome editing in eukaryotes, the CRISPR technology has revolutionized plant research and precision crop breeding. The CRISPR toolbox holds great promise in the production of crops with genetic disease resistance to increase agriculture resilience and reduce chemical crop protection with a strong impact on the environment and public health. In this review, we provide an extensive overview on recent breakthroughs in CRISPR technology, including the newly developed prime editing system that allows precision gene editing in plants. We present how each CRISPR tool can be selected for optimal use in accordance with its specific strengths and limitations, and illustrate how the CRISPR toolbox can foster the development of genetically pathogen-resistant crops for sustainable agriculture. The CRISPR-mediated precision breeding toolbox allows researchers and molecular breeders to fine-tune plant genomes with high versatility. Application of these genome-editing tools to genes involved in plant/pathogen interactions can foster the development of sustainable agriculture through the production of genetically pathogen-resistant crops.