The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) GMO Panel released its Scientific Opinion on the safety of genetically modified (GM) insect protected maize MON 95379, for import, processing, and food and feed uses within the European Union (EU) and does not include cultivation. Following the submission of application EFSA-GMO-NL-2020-170 under Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 from Bayer Agriculture BV, the EFSA GMO Panel was asked to deliver a Scientific Opinion on the safety of GM maize MON 95379

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) discussions at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, highlighted the urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) looked into its expertise and experience to initiate actions on how agri-food systems could be modified and contribute towards climate change mitigation.

Scientists from the John Innes Centre and CSIRO Australia discovered Rht13, a height-reducing gene in wheat. This new finding may allow farmers to plant wheat seeds deeper into the soil without the adverse effects on seed emergence that is common when using existing wheat varieties. Conventional wheat varieties that were produced during the Green Revolution put more energy into grain production causing lower plant heights.

One of this year's awardees is Dr. Mariechel J. Navarro, former Director of ISAAA Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology (KC). She was recognized for her outstanding advocacy for biotech and expertise in science communication. She has been with the KC since its inception in September 2000. Her internship at the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International in the UK on managing a biotechnology information system led to the development of the weekly e-newsletter Crop Biotech Update.

Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, welcomed the delegates of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Being one of the countries promoting conservation, Canada stepped up to be the host of COP15, which takes place from December 7 to 19, 2022. Biodiversity is a crucial topic of discussion that concerns human health and well-being, economic prosperity, food safety, and security, among other areas vital for the survival of humans and societies.

Winter peas, also known as black peas, are annual legumes with excellent nitrogen-fixing abilities. Winter peas are mostly planted in the Pacific Northwest as a cover crop and for additional nitrogen in the soil. Aside from their nitrogen-fixing abilities, winter peas are also valuable for human consumption because of the high protein content with a nearly complete amino acid profile, absence of allergens common in soybeans and peanuts, and low glycemic index.

The United Nations food standards body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, is holding a hybrid session on November 21-25, 2022, to adopt food safety and quality standards. The Commission is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is tasked to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

Philippine Interagency Heads Officially Open the National Biotech Week Celebration on November 21, 2022. From L-R: Deputy Director Oscar Gutierrez Jr. of FDA, Dr. Claro Mingala of the DA Biotech Program Office, Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita of ISAAA Inc., DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Ma. Corazon Dichosa of the BOI, and Ms. Debbie Torres of the Bureau of Local Government Supervision, DILG. (Photo by Danellie Joy O. Medina, SEARCA)

The tomato is known for its red, vibrant color, a vital trait that affects consumer preferences. Using CRISPR-Cas9, Chinese scientists developed tomato genotypes that come in yellow, light yellow, yellow-green, light green, brown, and pink. The tomato fruit color is a multigenic trait of the plant and is determined by the accumulation of different pigments like carotenoids and flavonoids.

Researchers from North Carolina State University (NC State) reported that viruses engineered using CRISPR-Cas system could go through bacterial defenses and make selective changes to a targeted bacterium, even when other bacteria are nearby. Their findings are published in the Plant Journal. “Viruses are very good at delivering payloads. Here, we use a bacterial virus, a bacteriophage, to deliver CRISPR to bacteria, which is ironic because bacteria normally use CRISPR to kill viruses,” said Rodolphe Barrangou,

Based editing is one of the approaches used for genome editing to generate single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in genomes. The protocol presented is specifically for targeted adenine to guanine substitution in rice using an adenine base editor. A detailed design of the sgRNA, CRISPR plasmid construction, rapid genetic transformation of rice, and genotyping of editing events are discussed. It can also be used for cytosine base editing.

In its November 14, 2022, Agricultural Biotechnology Annual, the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the Philippines continues to be a leader in biotechnology in Southeast Asia, having been the first in the region to have a regulatory framework on genetically engineered (GE) crops. The report says the Philippines is a regional biotechnology leader and the first country in the world to approve Golden Rice for commercial propagation.

lant Science reports a highly efficient transgene-free genome editing in tobacco using an optimized CRISPR-Cas9 system, pOREU3TR. The emergence of CRISPR tools has revolutionized plant science and continues to bring an enormous potential for crop improvement. Researchers from the Technology Center of China Tobacco Yunnan Industrial Co. Ltd. explored using CRISPR-Cas9 to edit the NtPDS gene in tobacco.

Chinese Journal of Rice Science published a study on the breeding of Rc function restoration red rice using CRISPR-Cas9. Restoring cultivated rice varieties to red rice with premium qualities and resistance to stress is important, especially for countries that use rice as staple food. Rc gene codes for a protein responsible for proanthocyanidins' accumulation into the inner seed coat below the pericarp, providing a red seed coat.

A crown-of-thorns seastar native to the Red Sea was this week named after WorldFish’s John Benzie in recognition of his groundbreaking genetic studies on crown-of-thorns seastars in the 1990s and early 2000s. The seastar, named Acanthaster benziei, has now been identified as a distinct species by a team led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München's Gert Wörheide, professor of paleontology and geobiology and Gerhard Haszprunar, professor of systematic zoology, using morphological studies and genetic analyses.

ISAAA Inc. and its long-time collaborator, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) launched two new policy briefs on Philippine biosafety by Ms. Ma. Lorelie U. Agbagala, Head Secretariat of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines. The launch was held during the opening day of the 18th National Biotechnology Week of the Philippines on November 21, 2022, at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City.

Through a $4 million project in partnership with the University of Sydney, InterGrain, Agriculture Victoria, and the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, GRDC targets to deliver at least five adapted wheat pre-breeding lines with a minimum 10% higher yield than the current highest yielding cultivars under heat stress during grain filling by 2026.

Following the submission of application EFSA-GMO-RX-019 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Corteva Agriscience LLC represented by Corteva Agriscience Belgium B.V., the EFSA GMO Panel assessed the post-market environmental monitoring reports, a systematic search and evaluation of literature, updated bioinformatic analyses, and additional documents or studies performed by or on behalf of the applicant.

Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) is a method for performing digital PCR that is based on water-oil emulsion droplet technology. A sample is fractionated into 20,000 droplets, and PCR amplification of the template molecules occurs in each individual droplet. ddPCR technology uses reagents and workflows similar to those used for most standard TaqMan probe-based assays. The massive sample partitioning is a key aspect of the ddPCR technique.

Neoplants, a Paris-based startup, has genetically engineered both a pothos (Epipremnum aureum) plant and its associated root microbiome. The houseplant called Neo P1 is capable of purifying the air as effectively as 30 houseplants, according to Neoplants.  The air that circulates in most homes is up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).