CRISPR/Cas9 crop trait engineering platform for abiotic stress tolerance and agronomic improvement
A genome editing platform leveraging CRISPR/Cas9 and TALENs to engineer crop traits for abiotic stress tolerance and improved agronomic performance. Targets food security challenges through precise vector modification, multiplexing, and base editing techniques, with applications in transgenic crop development and biochemical validation.
Overview
This offering provides a genome editing platform and expertise for engineering crop traits using CRISPR/Cas9 and TALEN systems. The technology addresses global food security challenges by enabling precise modification of crop genomes to improve abiotic stress tolerance and key agronomic traits. By combining vector modification, CRISPR/Cas variants, targeted sequence cloning, and advanced transformation methods, the platform supports the development of crops with enhanced resilience to pests, pathogens, and environmental stressors.
Technical specifications
Key capabilities:
- CRISPR/Cas9 and TALEN-based genome editing with surgical precision at target genomic sites
- Vector modification and CRISPR/Cas variant engineering for diverse editing applications
- Multiplexing and base editing techniques for simultaneous modification of multiple traits
- Guide RNA expression cassette construction under rice U3 and U6 promoters
- In vitro pyramiding of Cas9 expression cassettes with guide RNA cassettes into single plant transformation vectors (pMDC99)
- Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for stable integration and expression of eSPCas9 nuclease and guide RNAs
- Screening and identification of knockout transgenic crop lines
- Biochemical characterization and quantification of stress tolerance in edited crop lines
Advantages over conventional gene editing:
- Simplicity, specificity, versatility, speed, potency, reliability, and efficiency in genome modification
- Faster and easier genomic sequence modification compared to previous gene editing methods
Technology readiness level
The platform is at an advanced research and validation stage. Current validation efforts include constructing guide RNA expression cassettes, pyramiding Cas9 and guide RNA cassettes into transformation vectors, developing transgenic crops through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, screening knockout lines, and conducting biochemical characterization. Future work focuses on soluble starch synthase knockout transgenic crop lines and stress tolerance quantification, positioning the technology toward translational and pre-commercial development.
About International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is an intergovernmental, non-profit research and training organization operating laboratories in Trieste, New Delhi, and Cape Town. Its campuses provide co-located labs and shared core facilities that enable collaborative R&D, while training and fellowship programs create sustained talent pipelines for partners. Proximity to innovation parks and leading universities at each site, plus biosafety and policy advisory services, helps industry navigate translation and regulatory contexts across regions. Research is supported by member-state contributions and competitive grants from national and international agencies. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and commercialization across sites.
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