New Method Makes Transgene-Free Gene Editing Even More Promising – UConn Today

Advancements in Gene-Editing Technology for Sustainable Agriculture and Global Food Security

Recent innovations in horticultural plant breeding biotechnology are providing powerful new tools to address global challenges related to food security and environmental sustainability. Research led by Professor Yi Li at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) has produced a highly efficient method for gene-editing crops. This development directly supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by enhancing crop resilience and productivity, and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by advancing scientific tools for sustainable agriculture.

Addressing Challenges in Crop Improvement for SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Limitations of Conventional Genetic Modification

Traditional genetic modification techniques, which result in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), have faced significant regulatory and public acceptance hurdles globally. The process involves introducing foreign DNA, such as CRISPR-related genes, into a plant’s genome. This classifies the resulting plant as a GMO, subjecting it to lengthy and costly deregulation processes that can deter industry investment and slow progress toward creating more sustainable food systems.

A Novel Approach to Non-Transgenic Gene Editing

To overcome these obstacles, Professor Li’s research team has focused on developing transgene-free, genome-edited plants. Their method utilizes genome-editing technologies to precisely modify a plant’s own genes without the permanent integration of foreign DNA. This approach aligns with the principles of sustainable innovation by providing a pathway to develop crops with desirable traits that are not classified as GMOs.

• In 2018, the team developed a method based on Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of CRISPR genes.
• This technique allows for genome editing to occur without integrating foreign genes into the plant’s permanent genome.
• The method has been widely adopted, offering a practical tool for the rapid generation of non-GMO, genome-edited plants, especially for perennial and vegetatively propagated crops.

Enhancing Agricultural Resilience in Alignment with SDG 13 and SDG 12

The Role of Gene Editing in Climate Action (SDG 13)

A primary objective of this research is to develop plants with enhanced tolerance to environmental stressors. By editing a plant’s native genes, scientists can improve traits such as drought and heat tolerance. This work is a direct contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action), as it provides a crucial adaptation strategy for agriculture to withstand the impacts of climate change, ensuring food production remains stable in a changing environment.

Application in Combating Disease for Responsible Production (SDG 12)

The latest research has been applied to citrus, a major agricultural industry threatened by Huanglongbing (citrus greening disease). This disease has devastated citrus production, leading to significant crop loss. Developing genome-edited citrus with natural immunity to the pathogen supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by:

1. Reducing food loss at the production stage.
2. Minimizing the need for chemical interventions to control the disease.
3. Ensuring the long-term viability and sustainability of the citrus industry.

Key Innovations and Increased Efficiency for Global Impact

The Refined Kanamycin-Based Method

The most recent findings, published in Horticulture Research, detail a significant refinement of the 2018 method. The primary innovation involves the short-term use of kanamycin, a chemical selector, during the genome-editing process. This treatment selectively allows cells that have successfully taken up the CRISPR machinery to thrive while inhibiting the growth of unedited cells. This ensures that the resulting plants are generated from the successfully edited cells with much higher efficiency.

Quantifiable Improvements and Future Applications

The refined method has demonstrated a 17-fold increase in efficiency compared to the original 2018 version for producing genome-edited citrus plants. Professor Li notes that this simpler, more effective approach can now be applied to a much wider range of plant species. This scalability is critical for making a global impact on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by accelerating the development of improved crop varieties that can be deployed worldwide to create a more resilient and sustainable food supply.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article focuses on developing technologies to “grow plants better, faster, and more sustainably for growing populations around the globe.” This directly addresses the goal of ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The development of crops resistant to diseases like Huanglongbing, which has destroyed 70% of citrus trees in Florida, is crucial for securing the food supply.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The core of the article is about scientific research and technological advancement. It details Professor Yi Li’s development of a “novel method to create transgene-free, genome-edited plants,” which is a significant innovation in biotechnology. The refinement of this method to be “17 times more efficient” showcases the continuous process of upgrading technological capabilities in the agricultural industry.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article explicitly mentions that gene-editing strategies enable the “development of plants with desirable traits, such as improved drought and heat tolerance.” This is a direct measure to help agriculture adapt to the impacts of climate change, strengthening resilience against climate-related hazards like drought.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • By developing plants with “natural immunity to the pathogen,” the need for chemical pesticides could be reduced, thus protecting terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, creating drought-tolerant crops helps in combating desertification and making agriculture more sustainable on land that is vulnerable to climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Target 2.4: “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production…” The article’s focus on creating crops with drought tolerance and disease immunity directly contributes to building resilient agricultural practices that can withstand environmental shocks and ensure a sustainable food supply.
   • Target 2.a: “Increase investment… in agricultural research and… technology development… to enhance agricultural productive capacity.” The research conducted by Professor Li’s lab at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is a clear example of technology development aimed at enhancing the productive capacity of crops like citrus.
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors…” The development and refinement of the CRISPR-based gene-editing method is a direct contribution to this target. The article highlights a specific technological upgrade that is more efficient and can be applied to a wider range of plant species.
3. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” Developing plants with improved drought and heat tolerance is a specific strategy to strengthen the adaptive capacity of the agricultural sector to climate-related hazards.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicators for Target 2.4:
   • Development of resilient crop varieties: The article describes the creation of plants with “improved drought and heat tolerance” and “natural immunity” to diseases. The number and adoption rate of such varieties can serve as an indicator of progress.
   • Reduction in crop loss: The article mentions that Huanglongbing “destroyed about 70% of citrus trees in Florida.” A successful application of this technology would lead to a measurable reduction in such losses, indicating increased resilience.
2. Implied Indicators for Target 9.5:
   • Efficiency of new technology: The article provides a quantifiable metric, stating the new method is “17 times more efficient” than the previous version. This measures the progress of technological upgrades.
   • Scientific output and adoption: The publication of findings in a “leading scientific journal” and the statement that the previous method “has been widely adopted in various crop species” are indicators of successful research and innovation.
3. Implied Indicators for Target 13.1:
   • Availability of climate-adapted agricultural technologies: The development of the gene-editing method itself, specifically for creating drought and heat-tolerant plants, is an indicator of increased capacity to adapt to climate change.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: today.uconn.edu