Transgene-free genome editing in plants

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Genetics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Conventional genome editing can cause unintended gene fragments, off-target effects, and resistance gene drift.
• Precise DNA modification is crucial for crop improvement and fundamental plant science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review transgene-free genome-editing technologies and their principles.
• To highlight advancements in DNA-free delivery and its impact on crop development.
• To discuss future prospects of transgene-free editing in agriculture.

Main Methods:

• Direct delivery of ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs).
• mRNA delivery systems for transient CRISPR component expression.
• Base editing (cytosine and adenine base editors - CBEs, ABEs) for single nucleotide substitution.
• Prime editing for precise modifications using reverse transcriptase templates.

Main Results:

• Transgene-free methods minimize foreign DNA integration, enabling precise and stable genomic modifications.
• CRISPR components delivered via RNPs or mRNA avoid stable integration of foreign DNA.
• Developed crops are considered non-genetically modified due to the absence of integrated foreign DNA.

Conclusions:

• Transgene-free genome editing offers a revolutionary breakthrough in plant science and agriculture.
• These technologies minimize risks associated with conventional genome editing.
• Future developments combining delivery systems with AI optimization show promising agricultural applications.