Genome Editing and its Applications in Plants

Abstract

<div>Regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/cas9 system (CRISPR-Cas)</div><div>is a well-developed and frequently used genome editing system, which comprises a</div><div>Cas9 nuclease and a single-guided RNA (that is an RNA-guided technique). Cas9</div><div>recognizes and cuts a specific DNA sequence by base-pairing with it, generating</div><div>double-strand breakage (DSBs) that initiate cellular DNA repair mechanisms that result</div><div>in alterations in the DSB regions or adjacent. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has</div><div>transformed genetic modifications since its inception, and it is now routinely used to</div><div>improve the genomics of large numbers of crops. CRISPR/Cas system is used for</div><div>targeted modifications to improve plant growth, yield and tolerance to biotic and</div><div>abiotic stress along with developing transgene-free gene-edited crops. The limitations</div><div>of using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, as well as ways for enhancing its</div><div>responsiveness, are also investigated. This chapter also describes the introduction of</div><div>CRISPR-edited DNA-free plants, which may be more acceptable than some other</div><div>genetically-engineered organisms. The prospective uses of the CRISPR/Cas9</div><div>technology, as well as conventional breeding possibilities, are highlighted in this</div><div>introductory chapter.</div>