Transgene-free genome editing in citrus and poplar meristem tissues via biolistic ribonucleoprotein delivery of CRISPR-Cas9.
Rocha DC, Omoregbee MO, Luo W, Fang H, Ye Q
Crispr
It opens a path to developing disease-resistant citrus trees and faster-growing poplars without the 'GMO' label — meaning edited fruit trees and timber trees could reach farms, orchards, and city streets more quickly and with less regulatory friction.
Researchers used a technique like a tiny gene-editing package shot directly into the growing buds of orange trees and poplar trees. Instead of permanently inserting foreign genes, the editing tools do their job and then disappear, leaving only the intended tweak in the plant's own DNA. This is a big deal for trees, which are notoriously difficult to modify in the lab using older methods.
Key Findings
CRISPR-Cas9 delivered as a protein-RNA complex (not DNA) successfully edited genes in both citrus (CsNPR3 locus) and poplar (Pt4CL1 gene), leaving no foreign DNA in the final plants.
Plasmid-based (traditional DNA) delivery completely failed in citrus, whereas the protein-complex approach succeeded — highlighting a key advantage of the RNP method for woody species.
Some resulting plants showed chimeric edits (a mix of edited and unedited cells), but whole edited plants were still produced, demonstrating feasibility for perennial tree crops.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists successfully edited the genes of citrus and poplar trees without leaving any foreign DNA behind, using a precise gene-editing tool delivered directly into the growing tips of the plants. This transgene-free approach works even in woody trees that typically resist standard lab-based genetic modification methods.
Abstract Preview
Biolistic particle bombardment was used to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNP) into the shoot apical meristem tissue of citrus and axillary meristem tissue of poplar, generating d...
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