ISAAA June 14, 2023

The Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) announced that its researchers successfully conducted gene editing on miscanthus. The plant, also called silvergrass, is known to be a potential as a source of novel bioproducts like oils and high-value chemicals.

The researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to selectively target genes to knockout their function and precisely introduce new genes into the genome. The method involved guided RNAs to locate genetic material that will be edited and target all copies of the gene to account for redundancy and ensure a full functional knockout. The researchers initially tested their method on the lw1 gene, which is responsible for the plant's leaf color. Gene-edited miscanthus resulted to producing leaves that are pale green/yellow, striped, or white instead of green. This was evidence that the gene editing technique worked.

Miscanthus is a popular choice for source of biofuels, renewable bioproducts, and carbon sequestration. The plant is known to thrive on marginal lands, requires limited fertilization, has an efficient photosynthesis system, and has high tolerance for drought and cool temperatures. Optimizing its potential as an alternative source of energy can help reduce the global reliance on petroleum.

See more in CABBI.