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Genome editing in plants

Guest Editors

Stanislaus Antony Ceasar, PhD, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, India
Musa Kavas, PhD, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Türkiye
 

BMC Methods welcomed submissions to a Collection on Genome editing in plants. We invited researchers to contribute articles that explore techniques driving progress in the field. We welcomed submissions on a range of topics covering target selection, delivery systems, off-target effects, and efficiency optimization, such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing, innovations in TALENs and zinc finger nucleases, efficient delivery systems, strategies for minimizing off-target effects, precision breeding for crop improvement, applications in disease resistance, and methodologies enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in crops.

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Stanislaus Antony Ceasar, PhD, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, India

Stanislaus Antony Ceasar received PhD in Plant Genetic Engineering from University of Madras, India. He developed novel transformation protocols for millets and fungal resistant finger millet by engineering with rice chitinase genes during his doctorate study. Ceasar then joined Profs Alison Baker & Stephen Baldwin labs at the University of Leeds, UK through the Marie Curie Fellowship and undertook plant phosphate transporter characterization studies, applying modern genetic and genomic tools. He developed transformation protocol and RNAi lines for foxtail millet as part of the postdoc study. He has been applying various CRISPR/Cas tools for the characterization of genes and to improve upon the traits in cereals, especially in millets these days.

Musa Kavas, PhD, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Türkiye

Musa Kavas is an Associate Professor at Ondokuz Mayıs University studying Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. Recently, he focused on the genome editing of tomato and petunia plants via CRISPR/Cas9 system.

About the Collection

Genome editing in plants involves the precise modification of DNA sequences within the plant genome. These tools have the potential to change the architecture of a genome, and recent advancements in technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, homologous recombination (HR), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), have enabled researchers to engineer plants with unprecedented accuracy. The significance of genome editing, as exemplified by the extensive research in various breeding technologies over the past two decades, holds profound significance. Precision editing enables the development of crops with heightened nutritional value, targeting specific deficiencies such as iron, folate, and beta-carotene in rice and zinc and selenium in barley. Such targeting of staple crops addresses micronutrient deficiencies affecting over 1.2 billion individuals globally and is only one example of its potential. Crops have also been genome-edited to support better health. In tomatoes, work has been done to increase levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and lycopene to lower blood pressure and the risk of cancer and heart disease. In wheat, trials are being conducted for it to produce less asparagine, a compound that can cause cancer when bread is toasted. Crops are also being modified to increase yield potential. In corn, research is being done to increase the number of seeds per cob and improve its tolerance to climatic changes and resistance to pests and diseases. In doing so, it contributes to the establishment of resistant and sustainable agricultural systems. 

Genome editing, in tackling malnutrition, creating nutrient-rich foods, and encouraging sustainable agriculture, promotes the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. In light of these developments and in accordance with SDG goals, BMC Methods aimed to highlight the methodologies that underpin developments in plant genome editing, bringing together methodological and protocol-focused articles that provide detailed insights into its tools, techniques, and procedures. Authors were invited to contribute articles covering aspects such as: 

  • CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in plants: Protocols and optimization strategies
  • TALEN and zinc finger nucleases: Advances in plant genome editing
  • Delivery systems for efficient genome editing in plants
  • Off-target effects in plant genome editing: Detection and minimization strategies
  • Precision breeding for crop improvement: Methodologies and applications
  • Applications of genome editing in enhancing plant disease resistance
  • Genome editing for improved abiotic stress tolerance in crops
  • High-throughput methods for functional genomics in plants
  • Applications for the release and placing on the market of genetically modified plants and their products


Image credit: GMZ / stock.adobe.com / Generated with AI

  1. Genome editing enables precise genetic manipulation in plants, offering hope for tackling global food insecurity and malnutrition by enhancing crop traits and nutritional content. The BMC Methods Collection ‘Geno...

    Authors: Stanislaus Antony Ceasar and Musa Kavas
    Citation: BMC Methods 2024 1:3
    Content type: Editorial Published on:

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Methodology and Protocol Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Genome editing in plants" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.