CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing in fungi: applications, challenges, and future directions

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has been shown to be an effective genome-editing tool in many organisms, including fungi. It enables precise modifications to the DNA of fungal species, facilitating advancements in research, agriculture, and biotechnology. CRISPR-Cas9-edited non-pathogenic antagonists have emerged as a promising alternative for biocontrol. Several filamentous fungi have been engineered to produce secondary metabolites. Furthermore, the CRISPR-Cas9 system has been used to improve the quality of several edible fungi. However, the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology for fungal genome editing is still facing some challenges that researchers must address. This review highlights the major approaches and applications of genome editing in fungi, as well as the associated challenges.