Nicotiana benthamiana, colloquially known as benth or benthi, is one of the most widely used experimental models in plant science. Now that its complex genome has been almost completely mapped out, plant science research is expected to steeply improve along with the rapid development of more effective experimental methods for the plant. N. benthamiana is known for its rare ability to successfully graft with plants from different families

ISAAA Inc., in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High-Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB) Forum, organizes the virtual workshop titled Building Knowledge and Regulatory Capacity in Animal (Livestock and Aquaculture) Biotech (GE and GnEd) in Response to Climate Change to be held on February 27-28, 9 AM-12PM GMT+8 (February 26-27, 8 PM-11 PM EST). ISAAA Inc. will host the event via Zoom.

Researchers from Italy and The Netherlands highlighted the opportunities, challenges, and research gaps related to the production and consumption of plant-based meat alternative (PBMA) products. Their insights may pave the way for a collaboration of different stakeholders to aid the transition from conventional diet to sustainable plant-based diets. Over the last several years, PBMAs have been developed and launched globally on the market.

Researchers from various institutions under the Western Crop Genetics Alliance discovered a new semidwarf gene in barley and developed diagnostic molecular markers that can be used to breed better varieties that are more resilient to climate change conditions. "This green revolution was based on ‘dwarfing' gene mutations that led to shorter stems, reducing competition for resources and helping lift yields

A research team from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the University of Toronto have designed an artificial intelligence (AI) program that could produce customizable zinc fingers to treat diseases by turning genes on and off. Illnesses such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, and sickle cell anemia are caused by errors in the order of DNA letters encoding the operating instructions for every human cell.

On February 1, 2023, the United Kingdom's Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill passed the third and final reading at the House of Lords with no further amendments. The Bill will be moved to the Commons for consideration of the Lords previous amendments. The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill is described in Parliament as “a Bill to make provision about the release and marketing of, and risk assessments relating to, precision bred plants and animals, and the marketing of food and feed produced from such plants and animals; and for connected purposes.”

In an article published in Trends in Biotechnology, Polish scientists emphasized the need for Europe to use modern biotechnology tools like genetic modification (GM) and genome editing to ensure food security in the region, especially with the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and conflict in Ukraine. The article aligns the European Green Deal set to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050 with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of 2015. One of the targets of SDG is to decrease food loss and waste.

ISAAA Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research and Agriculture (SEARCA), released a policy brief on Modern Animal Biotechnology: Benefits, Future Directions, and Policy Recommendations. Authored by Dr. Ernelea P. Cao, Professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, the policy brief provides a summary of genetically engineered animals and research on genome-edited animals conducted in various institutions worldwide.

Thailand has updated its regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service GAIN Report, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Notification No. 431 B.E. 2565 (2022) (Foods Derived from Genetically Modified Organisms) and Ministerial Notification No. 432 (Labeling of GM Foods) went into force on December 4, 2022. The updates and implementation of these regulations are also posted on the Thai Food and Drug Administration website.

ISAAA Inc.'s first webinar of the year, titled Biotechnology Applications and Impact on the Philippine Livestock Industry, was held on January 31, 2023, via Zoom. It was conducted in partnership with Winrock International through the Building Safe Agricultural Food Enterprises (B-SAFE) Project to highlight the current opportunities and potential benefits with trait improvements of livestock-related to food and agriculture and resilience to climate change in the Philippines.