A mini review on genome editing via CRISPR-CAS system to enhance agronomic traits of wheat and tomato against environmental stresses
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Abstract
Due to fluctuating environmental conditions in world and drastic climactic changes, many crops have suffered problems like salinity, drought, diseases etc. Though conventional breeding methods are available to reduce the effects of these problems and have given promised results in past, but, now days trends are shifting towards genomic approaches. Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) or Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs) serve as conventional methods of gene editing, but they offer less successful results. One most commonly and innovative technique used in this prospective is CRISPR-CAS9. This review will be discussing latest examples of using CRISPR-CAS9 to develop crops having resistance against drought and diseases. For example, editing of multiple genes in tomato plants and observing the change in adaptation to drought environment. Gene knockout experiments and comparison of wild types with mutant types in identifying related genes and ways to enhance these genes expression is discussed. Similarly, many examples of disease resistance in wheat will also be discussed. These environmental factors play an integral role and could not be overcome by conventional methods as in past.
Keywords: CRISPR-CAS9; Drought; Disease; Resistance; Tomato; Wheat